EP32 Unvendor: Moving Past the Single-Vendor Mindset - Harm Scherpbier

In this episode of Beyond the Blueprint, physician and health IT expert Dr. Harm Scherpbier returns to challenge the status quo of single-vendor EHR ecosystems. Drawing on decades of experience across clinical practice, informatics, and executive leadership, Harm lays out a bold case for a modular IT approach—one that accelerates innovation, enhances clinician experience, and reduces cost. We dive into ambient clinical documentation, API-driven interoperability, and why "roadmap" should be every CIO's red flag. Whether you're a CMIO, a digital health entrepreneur, or a hospital leader navigating transformation, this episode offers strategic insight into building a future-ready, platform-based tech stack—without waiting 18 months.

Key Takeaways

• Roadmap is a trigger word indicating delays in vendor capabilities.
• Health systems should consider third-party vendors while waiting for vendor roadmaps.
• Innovation in healthcare IT is essential for adapting to rapid changes.
• Four reasons to move beyond single vendor systems: innovation, competitiveness, user experience, and cost.
• CIOs should not be the only ones responsible for IT strategy; it requires a cross-functional approach.
• Start with easy-to-integrate systems and gradually move towards more complex solutions.
• Investing in interoperability is crucial for successful IT transformation.
• Training for end users should be minimal; tools should be intuitive.
• The future of healthcare IT is a platform-based architecture, not a return to best of breed.
• Physician entrepreneurs can leverage their unique perspectives to drive innovation.

Episode Highlights

00:00 The Roadmap Trigger: A Cautionary Tale

01:00 Welcome to Beyond the Blueprint

01:30 Meet Harm Scherpbier

02:55 The Case for Third-Party Tools in Healthcare

06:55 Four Reasons to Move Beyond Single Vendor Systems

08:12 Going Beyond the CIO

09:27 Practical Steps for Transitioning to Modular Systems

15:06 Strategic Problem Solving in Health IT

20:13 The Future of Health IT: Platform-Based Architecture

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