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Overview of the 2025 symplr Compass Survey Findings

The battle against crisis culture within healthcare continues, as highlighted by the latest findings from the 2025 symplr Compass Survey. This study sheds light on the significant challenges facing healthcare organizations, revealing a troubling scenario where administrative tasks consume precious time for clinicians, exacerbating burnout and staffing shortages.

Key Findings

The survey, conducted annually by symplr, has discovered that healthcare professionals are increasingly feeling the pressure of a misaligned operational framework. Here are some of the critical issues reported:

• - Time Wasted on Administration: Over half of the clinicians surveyed (51%) report losing more than an hour each day on administrative duties that could potentially be streamlined or eliminated entirely with advanced software solutions. This statistic shows an increase from previous years, indicating a trend that is likely to impact overall healthcare delivery and clinician satisfaction.
• - Need for Influence in Software Decisions: There is a growing demand among healthcare professionals for participation in software purchasing processes, with 85% of clinicians expressing the desire for more influence. This marks a significant jump from 72% reported last year, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards the practicalities of operational management.
• - Fragmented Approaches Leading to Increased Risk: A staggering 86% of IT executives highlighted the occurrence of 'Shadow IT' within their organizations—signaling that unauthorized software purchases are on the rise. This exacerbates security vulnerabilities and undermines operational integrity.
• - Unified Healthcare Operations: An encouraging discovery is that 73% of healthcare professionals view the consolidation of healthcare operations as a top priority. Additionally, over 75% believe that deploying a unified healthcare operations platform would alleviate administrative burdens and enhance efficiency.
• - Adoption of AI Capabilities: Finally, the prospect of employing artificial intelligence (AI) in non-clinical tasks finds resonance with health system leaders. The potential for AI solutions in activities like patient scheduling and claims management is viewed favorably, particularly among IT and senior management respondents, with interest levels at 69% and 64%, respectively.

Implications of the Findings

This year's survey underscores the urgency for healthcare organizations to reassess their operational strategies. According to Theresa Meadows, Chief Information Officer in Residence at symplr, the precarious financial outlook facing hospitals necessitates a pause in strategic initiatives, which could ultimately stymie progress in improving patient care.

Tressa Springmann, Senior VP and Chief Information Digital Officer at LifeBridge Health, emphasizes the critical need for cohesive action across all operational sectors in healthcare: _"Operating in a constant state of crisis is unsustainable, yet the threats persist. We must be intentional in how we design care, recognizing the essential role of an operations platform and workflows that complement established systems like EHR and ERP.”_

Conclusion

The 2025 Compass Survey not only brings to light the pressing challenges faced by healthcare organizations but also demonstrates a collective yearning for reform. As administrative burdens intensify, the need for streamlined operations and collaborative decision-making becomes paramount. Healthcare stakeholders must come together to foster an environment conducive to improved patient care and operational efficiency. To delve deeper into these findings, the full 2025 symplr Compass Survey report is available for download, offering invaluable insights into the healthcare landscape's current realities and future outlook.