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Original research
Evolving role of the health system CIO: perspectives from 33 health systems
  1. Dae Hyun Kim1,
  2. Christy Lemak2,
  3. Douglas Jones2,
  4. Dalton Pena2
  1. 1Department of Health Management Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, Washington DC, USA
  2. 2Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Dae Hyun Kim; dk1146{at}georgetown.edu

Abstract

Objectives This study explores the evolving position of the health system chief information officer (CIO) by identifying new core roles for success.

Methods An advisory board of industry executives and system leaders guided the study. Purposeful sampling was used to invite chief executive officer and CIOs from 65 not-for-profit US health systems to participate. Interviews were conducted with 51 executives from 33 different systems, using a comprehensive interview topic guide. Interview transcripts were analysed using NVivo software, focusing on themes related to the evolving role of the health system CIO.

Results Analyses revealed three main themes, with the CIO as (1) enabler of strategic change and transformation, (2) strategic developer of technology and leadership talent and (3) driver of organisational culture.

Discussion The role of CIO has undergone transformation from technology and information system management to strategic leadership within the broader health system context. It highlights the importance of comprehensive business knowledge for CIOs and the need for other C-suite executives to have a deeper understanding of information and technology.

Conclusion As healthcare continues to evolve, the role of the CIO is expected to expand further, requiring a blend of technical and strategic business skills. This evolution presents opportunities for health systems to enhance their leadership development programmes, preparing leaders for the complexities of the contemporary health system sector.

  • competencies
  • continuous improvement
  • healthcare planning
  • health system
  • information

Data availability statement

Data are available on reasonable request.

https://doi.org/10.1136/leader-2023-000969

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Data availability statement

Data are available on reasonable request.

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Footnotes

  • Contributors DHK monitored data collection for the entire study, wrote the statistical analysis plan, cleaned and analysed the transcripts and drafted the paper. He is the first and corresponding author. CL designed data collection tools, monitored data collection, interviewed entire participants and revised the paper. DJ and DP assisted in drafting the statistical analysis plan, cleaned and analysed the transcripts and revised the paper. DHK, guarantor.

  • Funding The Scottsdale Institute (SI) provided financial support for this project.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.