Mike Cottle is the information services director at Newton (Kan.) Medical Center, a 103-bed nonprofit hospital.
Here, Mr. Cottle discusses the big trends in health IT for smaller hospitals and healthcare organizations.
Question: What emerging trend or technology in cybersecurity are you most interested in today and why?
Mike Cottle: I am looking for products that can assist us in implementing 'software restriction policies' in a more flexible and manageable manner. Today it is a purely manual process.
Q: How do you think your role will change in the next three years? What are you doing today to prepare?
MC: Being from a small organization my role will not likely change. I already am responsible for every aspect of information technology. Therefore, any new developments will just automatically be absorbed.
Q: What is the most dangerous trend in healthcare or health IT today and why?
MC: All the hype surrounding blockchain. Blockchain promises are being overstated and real uses are not getting the attention they deserve. All of this serves to create unnecessary distractions from a CIO's already overflowing plate of tasks and responsibilities.
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