Why Health Tech Innovations Hit Barriers — and How to Break Through
Healthcare is full of ground-breaking ideas, from AI diagnostics to advanced screening tools. Yet many innovations stall after initial pilots; a challenge known as “pilotitis.” Products are tested, praised, and then fail to scale. Why does this happen, and how can innovators move forward?
Why Innovations Stall
1. Evidence Gaps
Early pilots rarely provide enough proof for large-scale adoption. Decision-makers need concrete evidence for:
Clinical outcomes at scale
Operational fit within workflows
Financial impact and sustainability
Without robust, multi-site evidence, innovations remain “nice to have” rather than essential.
2. Implementation Challenges
Scaling requires more than a technology that “works well”. It must fit within existing systems
Integration with electronic patient records (EPRs), staff training, and care pathway redesign are essential, but they require time, resources, and systematic changes. Therefore acting as barriers and slowing progress.
3. Procurement Complexity
Healthcare procurement is cautious by design. Organisational buyers will hesitate unless Innovations align with the correct things: local priorities, compliance standards, and budget constraints.
How to Avoid Getting Stuck
Plan for Scale Early: Collect multi-site data, economic models and real-word evidence from the start.
Show System-Level Value: Link benefits to clinical priorities, operational efficiency, and cost savings.
Prepare for Integration: Provide clear roadmaps for IT compatibility, training, and workflow alignment.
Understand Procurement: Learn NHS tender routes and compliance requirements (CE/UKCA marking, DTAC).
Manage Expectations: Adoption takes time—plan for a longer runway.
The Bottom Line
Innovation is vital, but success depends on more than technology. It requires strategic planning, robust evidence, and collaboration across the health ecosystem. Pilotitis doesn’t have to be the end—it can be the first step toward meaningful, scaled adoption.
