Every career field evolves over time. Some, like healthcare, may evolve more rapidly than others. The healthcare field is continually changing as new technologies are developed and as medical research uncovers more information about health conditions, potentially leading to new treatments.

The continual evolution of the healthcare field underscores the importance of healthcare professionals’ commitment to lifelong learning. For nurses, for example, staying on top of the latest research and innovations in healthcare enables them to implement evidence-based best practices for everything from treating sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU) to identifying the symptoms of a new disease outbreak.

At GCU, undergraduate nursing students stay updated on the latest evidence-based practices through hands-on application in simulations. Students learn the importance of innovation and how it connects to healthcare technology and patient wellness.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, you may wish to take a closer look at how the field is changing, including emerging technologies, treatments and techniques that support better patient outcomes. Reflect on why innovation matters in this dynamic field and explore the future of healthcare innovation.

Innovation refers to pushing the boundaries of what is currently known or used to find new ways to accomplish goals and solve problems. The central ideal of innovation is to improve something or create something new and, in doing so, better meet the needs of patients and providers.^{(See disclaimer 1 )}

Innovation has a broad definition that can encompass everything from new innovations in healthcare technology to new treatments to a better understanding of how a certain disease affects the body. It can also encompass improvements made to healthcare systems, policies, regulations, services, products and ideas.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

To determine why innovation matters in the healthcare field, it’s helpful to reflect on its goals, such as the goal of improving patient outcomes. Finding new ways of doing things has the potential to lead to better patient care and, consequently, better patient outcomes. For example, innovation may mean that a patient with a type of cancer that doesn’t respond well to existing treatments now has a new treatment to try in a clinical trial, potentially saving their life.

Innovation can also affect the patient experience and how patients navigate the healthcare system. For example, patient portals are now common, but they were once cutting-edge. They enable patients to log into a secure platform that provides access to their lab results, medications, provider notes and similar information. This has the effect of helping patients become more active participants in their own care, which may encourage better treatment adherence.

Innovations in this field also matter from the provider’s perspective. The goal of providers isn’t only to improve patient outcomes, but also to improve the delivery of care itself and the efficiency of healthcare systems and operations. Related to this is the healthcare administrator’s goal of cutting healthcare costs.

Certain innovations can improve operational efficiency and delivery of care, such as automating routine, repetitive tasks. For example, if robots were to deliver supplies throughout a hospital, nurses would no longer have to locate them and could spend more time on patient care.

Other types of healthcare innovations focus on ensuring that all patients have access to care. For example, governmental policies could provide affordable healthcare coverage while also addressing healthcare deserts. Policy and regulatory innovations might also accomplish other goals, such as funding medical research that can lead to improved treatments.

There have been numerous healthcare innovations throughout the history of medicine. In recent times, some innovations in healthcare technology, patient care and care delivery include:^{(See disclaimer 2)} 

• Air curtains: This innovation enhances provider safety by reducing virus transmission during medical procedures. Air curtains are produced by a desktop device, blocking aerosols while also irradiating the air with ultraviolet (UV) rays to inactivate viruses.
• Surgical navigation system: Scientists have developed a surgical navigation system for use during breast cancer surgeries. Using technologies such as ultrasound and electromagnetic tracking, this system can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the cancer surgery, reducing the potential for additional surgeries. This can reduce healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes.
• Targeted drug delivery: A common treatment for vascular thrombosis is an intravenous infusion, but this method requires very high dosages that can increase bleeding risks. Researchers have responded by developing a targeted drug delivery system that involves using red blood cell-derived vesicles (RBCVs) to carry drugs directly to where they are needed.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are many trends that are highlighting current and future needs in healthcare, which shape innovation in healthcare. For example, as the U.S. population grows older, there is a greater demand for solutions that help people stay independent, active and healthier later in life.^{(See disclaimer 3)} 

Other trends include the increasing personalization of care. Patient care may be tailored to the patient’s lifestyle, risk factors and even their genetics. Similarly, patients prefer healthcare to be as convenient as possible to fit their busy lives. Remote monitoring, including wearable medical devices, is moving into mainstream healthcare as a result.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Another major trend concerns a significant technological development: artificial intelligence. AI is being integrated into healthcare in many ways, from enhancing diagnostics and risk assessments to automating documentation and streamlining administrative operations.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Although innovation helps drive the healthcare field forward, there are several challenges that can slow progress. One challenge is the need to obtain clinician buy-in for any given innovation.^{(See disclaimer 4 )}That is, how can a healthcare innovator convince providers that the change is needed, safe and beneficial?

Another challenge is the need to convince health insurance companies to provide coverage and reimbursement for innovations such as new treatments for patients. Additionally, all healthcare innovations must comply with current healthcare regulations, including HIPAA — the patient privacy law.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

Healthcare innovators don’t always work primarily in research. It’s possible for individual providers within a health organization to develop innovative ideas for improving areas of care. Yet, some health organizations maintain a rigid hierarchy that can make it challenging for these innovators to have their ideas heard and given serious consideration.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

It’s often helpful to measure the impact of any given healthcare innovation because its current or potential impact may directly influence the funding available to implement it. Measurements of impact aren’t always straightforward, but some researchers have developed the Health Innovation Impact Checklist (HIIC) that can help innovators assess the impact of their idea.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

This tool guides innovators through the process of evaluating their model and measuring its impact, including its efficacy and whether it provides equitable access to underserved populations.

Only time will tell what the future of healthcare innovation will bring, but it seems safe to assume that healthcare technology will continue to evolve, presenting exciting new possibilities for patient care and operational efficiency. For example, as AI continues to be explored, new applications for it may emerge in the healthcare field.

As healthcare technology and other innovations continue to change the field, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a reminder that all innovations must serve the best interests of patients. The WHO notes that healthcare innovation must preserve patients’ rights, including their right to keep their health information private. The WHO also notes that healthcare innovations should be implemented in a way that promotes equitable access to care, including by underserved and marginalized groups.^{(See disclaimer 7)} 

If you’re passionate about helping patients in your community, explore Grand Canyon University’s healthcare degrees, available at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers healthcare degree options in numerous areas, including health sciences, nursing, health informatics and healthcare leadership.