HIMSS 2025 conference wrapup

Posted by on June 4, 2025

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2025 conference showcased some of the most promising innovations in telehealth and digital care. Representing the Telehealth Technology Assessment Center, I attended sessions and explored technologies that are shaping the next wave of healthcare delivery. Here’s what stood out most from this year’s conference.

Artificial Intelligence: Useful, Overused, and Everywhere

AI was a headline item at nearly every turn—often as a buzzword, but increasingly as a real driver of workflow automation and clinical efficiency. One area gaining serious traction is companion AI in healthcare, particularly:

• AI-powered tools for nursing documentation and EHR workflow support.

• Robotics combined with AI for task delegation and patient monitoring.

Smarter, Simpler Endpoints

Telehealth endpoints are moving from traditional carts to versatile, portable, and user-friendly form factors. Some key developments included:

• Hot-swappable batteries, keeping devices online without needing full shutdowns.

• All-in-One tablets and non-cart form factors, which simplify deployment and lower costs.

• Patient-centered kiosks that enhance the user experience while reducing provider burden.

• Mobile diagnostic kits like GlobalMed’s Transportable Exam Backpack and Exam Station, ideal for rural or on-the-go care settings.

From Devices to Smart Environments

HIMSS 2025 emphasized a move beyond standalone products to intelligent care environments. These systems go beyond hardware and instead integrate deeply with cloud platforms and clinical workflows:

• AI-enhanced inpatient rooms using Alexa-style voice control.

• Smart notifications and real-time monitoring tools tied to EHRs.

• Cloud-based platforms that provide on-demand services and care coordination at scale.

The trend is clear: environments that adapt to patients, not just equipment that delivers services.

Innovation Spotlight: AdheaRx for Chronic Care

Among the novel ideas showcased, AdheaRx stood out as an elegant, accessible solution for chronic care management. Here’s how it works:

1. Patients receive SMS messages from their provider’s office.

2. They call a toll-free number and hear their provider’s familiar voice.

3. They respond to pre-recorded health prompts.

4. AdheaRx transcribes and analyzes responses, delivering actionable care recommendations.

This blend of low-barrier tech and personalized outreach addresses patient engagement in a fresh, patient-friendly way.

The Data-Driven Future of Telehealth

One of the strongest themes from HIMSS 2025 was the elevated role of patient-generated health data (PGHD). With consumer marketed devices increasing in medical accuracy, patients are contributing data that’s not just plentiful—but clinically valuable. Key takeaways include:

• Lower-cost, high-accuracy sensors are becoming widely accessible.

• Data visualization tools are evolving to support patient-provider decision-making.

• The focus remains on usability, ensuring tools enhance adoption rather than contribute to waste or abandonment.

Final Thoughts: Build for Impact

The future of telehealth lies not in chasing the latest gadgets—but in building integrated, patient-centered systems that improve outcomes, reduce friction, and amplify clinical capacity. As we continue assessing technology on behalf of the Telehealth Resource Centers, we remain focused on one question: Does this innovation solve a real-world problem?