technology in healthcare

[Tony]

Here's a topic that I feel like needs discussing: the value of being a first-mover with technology. is it worth it?

Yes, you're first. and you get some marketing/PR/branding buzz from that. But the cost to be first, especially if it's a truly emerging technology, is high - working out all the bugs, aligning the culture, i.e. trailblazing. Everyone that comes in after you learns from your mistakes.

Is it worth being first in technology? Or is it better to be a fast follower once the trailblazer gets all the kinks worked out for you?

[Robert Boerner]

Yes, I think this technology forum is a great idea.
I am a new user of social networks and I have been in the IT business for many years.
Do you have any sources for information concerning hospital IT environments, meaning software packages used, ways of distribution of information.

This could get very interesting.

Thanks

[Sue Reimbold]

I would think that rather than being a first-mover with a particular technology, you would need to be a first-mover with many new technologies, one after the other. That would help establish a reputation for being on top of "what's next" and serving the patient's best interests by looking for new, different and emerging technologies that advance their care or their connections with healthcare solutions. While everyone who comes in after you learns from your mistakes, there's no reason you can't learn from your own mistakes, too, and share those learnings with others--again, that's what a first-mover would do. Blaze ahead!