News: Healthcare leaders prioritizing cybersecurity but optimistic about AI, survey shows

According to a survey published by Bain & Company and KLAS, 75% of respondents reported an increase in IT investments over the past year. Respondents, made up of 150 United States providers and payers, also indicated there has been an emphasis on addressing cybersecurity and labor challenges, with 56% of payers and 38% of providers reporting an increase in cybersecurity spending in response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack, HealthLeaders reported.

When asked about their top three priorities, 38% of providers selected investment in IT infrastructure and services, including cybersecurity, followed by clinical workflow optimization chosen by 35%, and data platforms and interoperability chosen by 33%. In a significant year-over-year increase, 15% of providers said they have an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy today, compared to around 5% in 2023.

Both providers and payers reported feeling optimistic about generative AI implementation, though both also selected regulatory and legal considerations, cost, and accuracy as the biggest obstacles to implementation. In general, the top concern about technology investment was the costs, chosen by 49% of respondents. In second place, electronic health records integration was chosen by 42%.

Editor’s note: To read HealthLeaders’ coverage of this story, click here. To access the survey, click here.