In a recent webinar by Becker’s Healthcare, experts from NYU Langone Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Wolters Kluwer shared strategies for leveraging technology, supporting clinicians, engaging a diverse patient population, and scaling innovation through effective governance. These insights are essential for advancing a healthcare system that serves five generations of providers and patients.
Meeting patients and clinicians where they are
Health systems must balance workforce shortages, deepening health disparities, and financial pressures tied to value-based care models. These challenges grow more complex with a diverse, five-generation workforce and patient population, each with unique needs and varying tech comfort levels.
“It’s crucial to stay nimble as we navigate a time where multiple generations coexist in the workforce and patient population, each with unique needs. We’ve moved from a one-size-fits-all approach to tailored strategies,” explains Parnika Kodali, MHA, Chief Operating Officer at Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco.
Purpose-driven technologies and strategies tailored to clinicians, patients, and communities are essential for achieving this success.
The complexity of caring for five generations
Today’s healthcare environment features unprecedented generational diversity. Five generations, from Gen Z to the Silent Generation, actively receive care and contribute to the workforce, each with different preferences and technology comfort levels.
Younger patients and employees expect real-time communication, mobile optimization, and seamless digital interactions while some older adults may require intuitive tools alongside human-centered touchpoints.
Organizations must develop inclusive systems addressing these differences.
“There’s such an amazing opportunity for equity to meet patients where they are. Whether it’s tailoring based on patient profiles in the EHR, by language or literacy levels, or implementing graduated educational programs, that’s where we need to go,” says Dr. Amanda Heidemann, MD, FAAFP, FAMIA, Senior Clinical Content Consultant at Wolters Kluwer Health.
Addressing healthcare’s pressing challenges
Workforce strains
Staffing shortages remain a significant healthcare challenge. Burnout and retention issues erode care team stability while growing demand intensifies pressure on clinicians. Technology is critical for alleviating this strain. AI-powered tools like automated transcription streamline documentation, while predictive scheduling systems optimize workflows and resource allocation.
Personalization at scale
Healthcare advances enable personalized care, but scaling remains challenging. Factors like location, socioeconomic status, and language proficiency create barriers.
Healthcare systems turn to tech-enabled innovations: Telehealth platforms for low connectivity areas, multilingual tools, and culturally adaptive resources. The challenge lies in scaling these efforts while maintaining personalization.
Financial pressures of value-based care
Value-based care requires balancing operational efficiencies with measurable outcomes. Every investment must demonstrate clear value through patient satisfaction, staff retention, or reduced readmission rates.
Purpose-driven technologies play a central role. Point-of-care decision-support tools help clinicians apply best practices consistently, while analytics platforms identify workflow inefficiencies.
Technology as an enabler of sustainable solutions
Supporting clinicians with smart workflows
Reducing clinician burden remains a top priority. Advanced AI tools, including ambient intelligence, passively document patient visits, capturing key details while freeing clinicians to focus on direct care. These efficiencies accumulate into significant productivity gains.
Personalizing care strategies
Technology works best when meeting individual patient needs. By integrating EHR insights, healthcare systems deliver dynamic, personalized communication—appointment reminders in chosen languages or educational materials tailored to literacy levels.
This personalization strengthens engagement and adherence to care plans, ensuring better outcomes across patient populations.
Building governance for scalability
Governance structures ensure technology adoption remains purposeful and sustainable. Governance committees select technologies that integrate smoothly while avoiding fragmentation. They also enable successful pilots to scale effectively without disrupting operations.
Next steps for healthcare leaders
Healthcare’s reshaping challenges call leaders to reimagine care delivery. By fostering collaboration between clinicians, patients, and leadership, healthcare systems can build a resilient, equitable foundation.
“It’s a challenge, but we must try,” Kodali affirms. By addressing clinician and patient needs alike, healthcare organizations can create systems that thrive for generations to come. Advancing tech-enabled, equitable care requires evidence, discipline, and people focus. Leaders prioritizing intentional design and clear measurement empower better outcomes across generations.
Explore more insights and real-world strategies
Advancing tech-enabled, equitable care requires evidence, discipline, and a focus on people. Leaders who prioritize intentional design and clear measurement empower better outcomes across generations. “To gain deeper insights into these considerations and how they impact care delivery, explore the UpToDate® Point of Care Report series.” For additional strategies and discussion, we encourage you to listen to the full webinar discussion and expand your organization’s playbook for success.
