Title: The Reality Check for Developers Creating Healthcare Solutions Without Clinical Experience
In the intersection of healthcare and technology, there’s an alarming trend: developers with little to no frontline clinical experience designing and proposing systems they believe are “revolutionary” for patient care. Having spent three years working in a hospital, I’ve seen firsthand how off-base some of these solutions can be—and it’s often baffling.
One recurring scenario involves vendors introducing new tools that, in theory, should streamline processes but in practice make things worse. For example, I recently witnessed a startup demo a patient intake system that, instead of saving time, would have added an extra 20 minutes to each appointment. They had never consulted with front desk staff, who have spent years fine-tuning their workflows. It was evident that the development team, despite their technical expertise, lacked real world healthcare insights.
Reflecting on my own early days as a developer, I can relate. I built what I thought was a simple patient scheduling app, assuming it would transform clinic operations. However, I quickly ran into the complexities of insurance authorizations, provider credentialing, and diverse appointment types—areas I had not fully understood. It took months of collaborating directly with clinic staff to develop a solution that genuinely fit their needs.
The truth is, many developers venture into healthcare software creation without ever stepping inside a clinic, especially during busy flu seasons or peak times. Healthcare environments are complex ecosystems that can’t be simplified by quick iterations or disruptive innovations alone. When a system failure results in someone missing their essential medication or treatment, the stakes are high.
So, to my fellow developers: have you been humbled by the healthcare sector? Or are you still under the impression that “digitizing everything” is a viable plan? Real improvements come from understanding the actual workflows, challenges, and needs of those on the front lines.
Understanding healthcare’s intricacies isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a necessity for crafting solutions that genuinely help patients and providers alike.
