Date of Conferral

1-19-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Kim Critchlow

Abstract

Ineffective optimization of the billions of dollars spent annually on healthcare technology threatens the sustainability of healthcare systems and exacerbates inequities in patient access. Healthcare technology leaders who lack effective investment optimization strategies risk reducing the operational effectiveness of their healthcare system. The purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry was to explore the effective strategies that healthcare technology leaders use to optimize financial investments in healthcare technology to improve the patient care experience and equitable access to healthcare services. The participants were nine healthcare technology leaders who used optimal financial investment strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of secondary industry documents. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) employing strategic governance of investments; (b) developing value realization and evidence-driven learning cycles; (c) centering the design and workflow integration around people; and (d) creating digital equity and inclusive access strategies. A key recommendation is for healthcare technology leaders to shift from a purely financial return-on-investment model to a broader stakeholder-centered, governance structured, value-on-investment framework. The implications for positive social change include the potential for healthcare technology leaders to bridge the digital divide for underserved populations, support workforce sustainability, and foster equitable access to high-quality care for the broader community.

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