Top 5 Takeaways from Vive 2023

The Vibe at ViVE

Last month we attended ViVE in Nashville, alongside 7,000+ healthcare leaders, innovators, and investors. From the startup pitches and tech talks to the live music, the 4-day event was buzzing with energy. We loved learning and connecting with so many inspiring people in the healthtech space. In case you missed it, here’s our top 5 takeaways. 

1. Startups are driving innovation

Over 650 startups shared the stage at ViVE, bringing new solutions to the table and pushing the envelope on how healthcare systems work. One of the main themes was improving patient-centric care and fostering better patient-provider relationships. Companies are taking different approaches to make healthcare more accessible and equitable. Like adapting to a decentralized care model that meets patients where they’re at. 

Healthcare startups are looking for specific people to join their team - flexible, creative problem-solvers who can adapt to fast-paced environments. This is especially relevant considering the uncertain economy we’re in. This means that startups need to move fast and find ways to do more with less.

2. Tech meets healthcare: AI, ChatGPT, and more

It feels like there’s endless possibilities when it comes to what emerging technology can do for healthcare. One of the industry’s biggest challenges is staffing shortages. So the potential for technology to make work more efficient and reduce burnout is a huge deal. For example, automating administrative tasks can give clinicians more quality face-to face time with patients. We’re also hearing more buzz about telehealth and how it can give providers more flexibility and make care more accessible for patients. 

In the biotech space, we’re seeing success in using AI to help create vaccines. AI models are also being used to manage data, track patterns, and offer treatment options. The goal is to help healthcare professionals do their job more efficiently and effectively.

There’s also exciting outlooks on the side of patient experience. Language models like ChatGPT can make medical info and post-procedure plans easier to understand. Some companies are also experimenting with chatbots to answer patient questions when they’re unable to contact their doctor. 

So what does all this growing excitement about tech in healthcare lead to? 

3. Growing demand for engineers, developers, and analysts

Despite the recent cooldowns in hiring in the tech industry, many healthcare companies are still recruiting tech talent! As new types of technology break into the healthcare space, companies are devoting more resources to bringing on people like data engineers, machine learning specialists, and software developers. 

One of the biggest topics at ViVE was data. Today, 30% of the world’s data volume is generated from healthcare. That’s a ton of data with a ton of potential. But companies are still figuring out how to get the most out of it and use the data to improve patient care. 

Another hot topic was cybersecurity. With so much personal data, how do we make sure it's protected? These rapidly growing fields are in need of talented people to take on the challenges.

4. Advancing techquity and care delivery

As healthcare moves towards digitalization, there’s both great potential and concern surrounding equal access to quality care. To avoid a future where innovative tools and technology are only viable for certain communities, techquity leaders discussed the importance of promoting tech literacy, reducing information asymmetry, and building algorithms that minimize bias. 

One of the ways that technology can bridge gaps in healthcare disparities is by shifting some care services to the home. Tools like remote patient monitoring can help patients overcome the physical barriers of traveling to a hospital and risking infection. Another benefit is technology’s role in reducing costs for patients and providers.

5. The competition for talent is real

Hiring managers and recruiters are facing some tough competition right now. They’re often competing for candidates in the same pools which are limited by the overall storage of skilled workers. This is especially true for roles that require specialized education and credentials. Some of the areas with the highest demand are surgeons, physicians, RNs, and nurse practitioners.

In response to the competition, companies are investing in building and marketing their employer brand. Every team is trying to find their voice and tell their unique story. 

Thyme Care, an oncology care company, used Puck’s job page product to help share their team’s story. By featuring podcast clips next to open roles, candidates are able to hear a more personal side of Thyme Care’s brand and people. In the snippet below, Nikkayla shares her story of what brought her to the team.