The Pitfalls of Developing Healthcare Technology Without Practical Experience
In the world of healthcare technology, a recurring challenge is the disconnect between development teams and the reality of clinical environments. Having spent three years working within a hospital setting, I’ve observed firsthand how often vendors introduce seemingly “revolutionary” solutions that overlook fundamental operational workflows.
One striking example involved a startup proposing a new patient intake system. The design, however, would have extended each appointment by approximately 20 minutes—an outcome that could have been avoided had they engaged with front desk staff. The representative seemed unaware that front desk personnel like Karen have spent years refining their processes and possess invaluable insights into maximizing efficiency—a knowledge base that can’t be gleaned solely through engineering.
Reflecting on my own early ventures into healthcare app development, I admit I shared similar misconceptions. I created a straightforward patient scheduling tool, only to realize later how little I understood about insurance authorizations, provider credentialing, and the nuances of appointment types. The turning point came when I spent months collaborating directly with clinical staff, understanding their routines, challenges, and needs. That experience taught me that successful healthcare solutions require more than coding—they demand genuine empathy and hands-on knowledge.
It’s concerning how many developers undertake healthcare projects from their home offices without ever observing a live clinical environment, especially during peak times like flu season. In healthcare, the mantra of “move fast and break things” can have serious consequences; breaking systems can directly impact patient care, sometimes preventing someone from receiving critical treatments like insulin.
Has anyone else found themselves humbled by real-world healthcare experience? Or is the lesson simply that digitizing everything isn’t a silver bullet? Truly understanding the complexities of healthcare is essential before attempting to innovate in this vital sector.
