Healthcare IT Outsourcing: Current Trends & Considerations

Health

Let’s face it! The healthcare industry is under immense pressure to innovate rapidly while keeping expenses in check and delivering high-quality patient care. From well-established hospitals to startups, healthcare organizations are increasingly choosing external partners to handle complex IT needs.

Reportedly, the global healthcare IT outsourcing market stood at $52.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to surpass $92 billion by 2032. No wonder outsourcing is the only viable option. Take healthcare mobile app development, for instance. Such needs are being outsourced to specialized firms that understand both technology and healthcare regulations.

Whether it’s developing a patient-facing mobile app or a 360-degree telehealth platform, the job calls for niche skills. From securing a HIPAA-compliant design to smart integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR), nothing beats IT outsourcing. Why? Simply because internal teams will always lack the expertise and require ongoing training. Besides, outsourcing IT needs means having access to the best resources without the need to hire and train. In short, outsourcing healthcare mobile app development services saves you precious time and money!

Here’s a closer look at the current healthcare IT outsourcing trends channeling growth and innovation. Read on

Cloud Adoption and SaaS

The past two decades have been quite a game changer for healthcare providers embracing cloud computing and SaaS (software-as-a-service) models. Whether it’s hosting EHRs or data storage needs, outsourcing to cloud service experts remarkably boosts scalability and cost savings. 

Many leading hospitals today rely on the cloud for everything from backing up vital patient data to managing entire EHR systems. This trend has not only ushered in on-demand scalability but also unrestricted access to the latest infrastructure without hefty investment.  

Working With AI and ML  

AI is everywhere you go, and more so in healthcare. As evolving technologies, AI and ML (Machine Learning) have made life easier for patients and caregiving organizations. Some of the notable outcomes of AI-powered solutions include: 

  • Predictive patient outcomes
  • Streamlined operational flow 
  • Big Data analysis 
  • Robotic Process Automation 
  • New drug discovery
  • Terminal disease prevention
  • Personalized medicines
  • Automating repetitive tasks (like appointment scheduling, medical coding, etc.)
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According to industry reports, AI-powered healthcare IT solutions are on an increasing spree. The market revenue is poised to reach a CAGR of 38.5% by 2030. So, for any hospital that lacks in-house talent handling AI-powered operations, consulting an IT outsourcing company is the only way out. 

Telemedicine and Remote Care Platforms

The last pandemic, COVID-19, has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, and in essence, telehealth as a concept has become a norm. Today, even in a post-pandemic scenario, healthcare providers offer telehealth services as a first option. From secure video consultations to managing remote patient care programs, telehealth platforms are ticking the right boxes. As healthcare organizations compete to provide the best patient outcomes, partnering with an IT outsourcing company is a foolproof way to boost the technical infrastructure and cater to critical needs 24/7.

Specialized and Niche Care Services 

Outsourcing in healthcare can never be a one-size-fits-all thing. Engaging specialized and niche care providers is a trend that’s fast catching up. For example, a hospital might prefer a particular vendor for their revenue cycle management, like handling insurance claims and billing. On the other hand, they can choose to work with a different vendor for cybersecurity and healthcare data analytics.  

Instead of working with different vendors for niche requirements, healthcare organizations can partner with a full-scale IT outsourcing company. That way, one can have all needs answered under one roof, leverage the best-in-class technology, work with expert resources, and save money. The flexibility that IT outsourcing companies offer in the form of need-based services is a bonus.

Prioritizing Compliance and Data Security

Data breaches are a perennial threat to healthcare organizations. Therefore, prioritizing data security and compliance is the need of the hour. And there is no better way to do it than outsourcing managed security service needs.

 

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The average loss from healthcare data breaches reportedly stood at about $4.9 million in 2024. Such alarming stats make it even more important for healthcare organizations to choose the right IT outsourcing company. The usual trend is to pick a managed security service provider that can readily comply with global healthcare data security standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and HITRUST CSF. 

Enabling Patient-Centric Digital Experiences

As value-based care gains predominance, modern-day healthcare systems are increasingly turning into consumer-centric models. Whether it’s an AI-powered chatbot, a mobile appointment booking app, or a Connected drug delivery device, the trend is to create a befitting solution for both patients and clinicians.  The primary focus is on utilizing modern-day technologies that are simple, user-friendly, and can be tailored to individual patient needs. 

At the center, the idea is to evolve beyond just the digital process. That’s why, everything is now being built using the principles of human-centered design. In turn, it leaves more room for patient engagement and satisfaction.

The Bottom Line 

By all means, healthcare IT outsourcing is an evolving trend that is here to stay for long. The credit goes to advanced medical technologies, which are inclined to external experts for complex solutions development and integration. From AI-powered diagnostics to personalized health apps, it’s a long list. 

Whether you’re a payer or a provider, it’s a rewarding time to design and deploy new use cases of healthcare IT solutions. And that alone opens up new avenues for outsourcing partners to introduce scalable and innovative solutions, blending with conventional healthcare models. Specific areas like blockchain, augmented reality, and advanced interoperability are rewriting the rules of value-driven patient care. 

As we take a step forward, outsourcing healthcare IT needs, besides technology, demands trust, shared goals, and expert resources to make things happen. From embracing the next breakthrough in AI to accelerating existing modus operandi, things eventually boil down to your IT outsourcing partner. 

So, take time to choose the best, invest in research and company background checks, and browse through their past work portfolio. Besides, always stay informed about the latest trends in healthcare IT outsourcing to confidently navigate through the challenges. Remember, no matter how advanced the tech, it’s no good if it fails to realize the organizational vision.

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