The last few years have been anything but predictable for the health care industry. The combination of a pandemic, political and economic uncertainty, and the rise of sophisticated telehealth platforms created an environment of both instability and opportunity. During any major change in an industry, stakeholders must adapt to build structures and processes that harness the benefits while minimizing risks. This cycle is evident in the current and future state of health care administration.
If you’re already working in health care administration or you are looking for a new career with major potential for growth, understanding the upcoming shifts can help you prepare for changes ahead. Here’s the current state of health care administration, as well as some significant trends:
Health Care Administration Now and in the Future
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track “health care administration” as a singular job, their projections for “health services managers” offer a look at the current demand in the industry. The BLS projects job growth several times the national average and lists the median salary to be over $110,000 per year. These numbers are projections, and may change, but they illustrate the significant growth in this sector. As the medical field adapts to new technology, data storage tools, and accompanying policies, the demand for qualified and savvy administrators has surged.
AI in the Spotlight
One of the main benefits touted by artificial intelligence evangelists is the potential to supercharge medical technology and services. Some enthusiasts pitch AI as a replacement for doctors or other experts when diagnosing a patient. However, as time has gone on, AI has found more use in the less-regulated and more time-consuming “busywork” of administration. Tasks like data entry, meeting summaries, and light research can be done using AI tools.
As with any technology, AI is not infallible. These tools require significant proofreading and oversight before its output can be utilized. Administrators who are familiar with AI tools as well as their limitations will be crucial as the medical profession explores how to use AI in a way that improves patient outcomes while safeguarding privacy.
Internet-Connected Medical Devices
The “internet of things” in health care refers to inter-connected medical devices. Medical devices are now primed to gather huge amounts of information from patients and practitioners. This has improved the speed and potential for positive treatment outcomes, effective care, and patient experience. From EMTs to orderlies, many professionals can now gather critical information using powerful new devices. First responders can send this information ahead of a patient’s arrival, helping the medical team prepare.
Health care administrators are responsible for coordinating the integration of these new technologies, ensuring they meet provider needs. The assessment, purchasing, incorporation, and training that comes with these new tools falls to administrators, who serve as the coordinators matching provider needs with new technologies. However, the backend work that is necessary to bring these new tools into action is significant, as they must be compliant and useful. This illustrates one reason why health care administration jobs are growing so rapidly.
Dealing with Data
Data collection and analysis for health care is nothing new — modern medicine was built on this practice. What is new, however, is the volume and accessibility of this data, as well as the speed at which it can be transmitted. Once an onerous task involving hours or even days of research, tabulation and data entry, querying health care data can now be automated and done quickly. Administration takes on a whole new meaning as the paradigm shifts. Imagine setting up tools that automatically follow trends in local diagnoses, using this anonymized data to track anything alarming, to prepare medical professionals with a daily digest of any notable changes. Administrators can also help pre-order medicines and materials based on years or decades of past trends.
On the other side is the importance of compliance and data security. Proper administration of patient data is a huge component of the job, and it will only become more crucial in the coming years. Making sure your data collection and storage tools are compliant without being inaccessible is difficult, but it is a key reason why qualified health care administrators are in demand.
Start Your Health Care Administration Journey at Columbia Southern University
Whether you're pursuing a specific role or broadening your skill set, effective health care administration requires a grounding in the fundamentals. Here at Columbia Southern University, our degree programs offer insight into health care administration best practices and are designed and taught by experts who understand the current and future landscape of the industry. If you’d like to learn more about our approach, take a look at our programs page.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
