Shaping the Future of the Health Information Profession: The Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Workforce

In this commentary, the authors explore the transformative impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and electronic health record (EHR) optimization, on the field of health information (HI). They also examine the implications of these technologies across three critical sectors: healthcare organizations, HI vendors, and academia. In healthcare organizations, these innovations are reshaping job roles, workflows, and required skill sets, creating both opportunities and challenges for HI professionals. HI vendors are driving workforce changes by adopting automation and AI-driven solutions to enhance service delivery. In academia, HI education is evolving to integrate emerging technologies into curricula, ensuring that students are equipped to meet the growing demands of the industry. The authors emphasize the necessity of collaboration among healthcare organizations, vendors, and academia to develop a workforce with the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven landscape. They also provide recommendations for addressing skill gaps, fostering innovation, and preparing the HI workforce to navigate the challenges ahead.