Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2023

DOI

10.34190/iccws.18.1.999

Publication Title

18th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security

Volume

18

Issue

1

Pages

77-84

Conference Name

18th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security, 9-10 March 2023, Towson, Maryland

Abstract

Exploits of technology have been an issue in healthcare for many years. Many hospital systems have a problem with “disruptive innovation” when introducing new technology. Disruptive innovation is “an innovation that creates a new market by applying a different set of values, which ultimately overtakes an existing market” (Sensmeier, 2012). Modern healthcare systems are historically slow to accept new technological advancements. This may be because patient-based, provider-based, or industry-wide decisions are tough to implement, giving way to dire consequences. One potential consequence is that healthcare providers may not be able to provide the best possible care to patients. For example, if a healthcare provider does not adopt new technologies or approaches to medical treatment, they may not be able to offer the same level of care as a provider who has embraced those innovations. This leads to lower quality of care and poorer patient outcomes. Another consequence is that healthcare providers who do not adapt to disruptive innovations may lose market share to competitors who are more forward-thinking and willing to embrace new technologies and approaches. This can harm the provider's financial performance and sustainability. Not adapting to disruptive innovations in healthcare can result in missed opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical treatment. If a healthcare provider does not adopt electronic medical records, they may miss out on the benefits of faster and more accurate information sharing, improving patient care. Once the decision to implement technology in a specific healthcare industry is made, concerns about patient safety, an aversion to change, and hospital-wide compliance with regulations begin to arise (WynHouse, nd.). The healthcare technology industry also boomed with the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to significant advancements and innovations in medical technology. In order to diagnose, treat, and prevent the spread of the virus, healthcare providers and researchers have had to develop and deploy new technologies and approaches. The COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted the importance of the medical industry and the essential role it plays in society. This has led to increased funding, support for medical research and development, as well as a greater appreciation for the work of healthcare providers. This has created opportunities for growth and innovation in the medical industry. It also placed enormous strain on global health systems, disrupting healthcare by increasing the risk of fraud and deception; the risk of hospital operations and assets being compromised, disrupted, or altered; and the increased use of telehealth resulting in a breakdown between providers and consumers (Kuehn,2021). This article will cover the effects/impact of disruptive innovations/technologies introduced into healthcare industries over the short term through a light review of disruptions and responses, followed by commentary and policy recommendations.

Rights

Copyright (c) 2023 Hilary Finch, Abasi-Amefon Affia, Woosub Jung, Lucas Potter, Xavier-Lewis Palmer

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License.

Original Publication Citation

Finch, H., Abasi-Amefon, A., Jung, W., Potter, L., & Palmer, X.-L. (2023). Commentary on healthcare and disruptive innovation. In R. L. Wilson & B. Curran (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (pp. 77-84). Academic Conferences International Limited. https://doi.org/10.34190/iccws.18.1.999

ORCID

0000-0001-5881-5059 (Finch), 0000-0002-1289-5302 (Palmer)

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