Key Trends from the 2024 MGMA Leaders Conference: The Future of Practice Management

The 2024 MGMA Leaders Conference brought together over 4,000 healthcare leaders and decision-makers from across the country, reflecting the industry’s ongoing commitment to improving practice management. With more than 150 educational sessions and 200 exhibitors, the event was a hub for sharing insights, exploring new technologies, and addressing the most pressing challenges facing medical practices today. TeleVox attended the conference to engage with thought leaders and contribute to discussions on innovative solutions in healthcare.

This year’s conference focused on strategies to enhance operational efficiency, improve patient engagement, and navigate staffing challenges through technology and innovation. Below are the key trends that emerged, offering a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery.

 

Automation is the New Standard

One of the most prominent themes was the growing reliance on automation to ease the administrative burden. From scheduling to billing, automation is transforming how practices operate, allowing healthcare staff to focus on patient care instead of paperwork. The integration of automated processes is proving critical, particularly in response to staffing shortages.

While automation has historically been seen as a way to cut costs, it is increasingly recognized as a key driver of efficiency and quality. Practices are now exploring ways to expand their use of AI and automated solutions to improve workflow management and reduce error rates, with early adopters reporting up to increases in productivity.

 

Patient Engagement is No Longer Optional

Patient engagement remains a top priority, with practices realizing that a proactive approach can improve outcomes, adherence, and satisfaction. It’s not just about keeping patients informed—it’s about building relationships through continuous communication. Practices are seeing the benefits of more engaged patients, indicating that engaged patients are more likely to stick to their treatment plans and report higher satisfaction rates.

 

Attendees at the conference shared insights on how practices are investing in multi-channel communication strategies, leveraging digital tools such as secure messaging, virtual care, and patient portals to maintain ongoing engagement. As healthcare becomes more consumer-driven, practices that can create personalized, seamless communication experiences will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

 

Data-Driven Decision Making is Gaining Momentum

Another trend discussed extensively at the conference is the use of data analytics to inform decision-making. Practices that can harness the power of data to understand patient behavior, identify care gaps, and optimize operations are ahead of the curve. Data-driven insights are no longer confined to larger health systems—practices of all sizes are using analytics to improve care delivery and operational efficiency. As more medical groups adopt analytics, the ability to track patient trends, predict outcomes, and tailor services accordingly is becoming a key differentiator.

 

Staffing Shortages and Burnout: Finding Solutions Beyond Hiring

Staffing shortages were front and center at the conference, with practices reporting difficulties in recruitment. While hiring remains a top priority, many practices are also turning to technology and innovative workflows to alleviate staff burnout. Solutions like task automation, virtual assistants, and AI-driven tools were all highlighted as ways to reduce the workload and free up healthcare staff for more meaningful patient interactions.

 

Attendees emphasized that simply hiring more staff is no longer a sustainable solution; practices must focus on making the best use of available resources. This includes finding ways to streamline clinical workflows, enhance scheduling flexibility, and support staff well-being through better work-life balance initiatives.

 

Patient Experience: A Competitive Edge in Healthcare

As patient expectations evolve, healthcare practices are recognizing that patient experience is a key differentiator. The conference highlighted that practices are increasingly focusing on improving the patient journey—from ease of appointment scheduling to follow-up care.

 

With the rise of consumerism in healthcare, practices are also exploring new ways to cater to patient preferences, such as offering more digital interactions, improving access to virtual care, and simplifying patient billing processes. A seamless, positive patient experience is now seen as essential not only to patient retention but to attracting new patients in a competitive marketplace.

 

Looking Ahead: What These Trends Mean for Healthcare Practices

The 2024 MGMA Leaders Conference highlighted key trends—automation, data-driven insights, and patient engagement—that are reshaping practice management. Practices embracing these innovations will be better positioned to thrive in a competitive, complex healthcare landscape.

TeleVox is leading the way, providing AI-driven solutions that automate administrative tasks, enhance patient communication, and offer actionable data insights. With tools like TeleVox’s Practice Edition, healthcare providers can reduce staff burden, improve patient engagement, and gain a competitive edge.

As practices navigate the future, leveraging technology will be crucial to balancing efficiency with high-quality, patient-centered care.

If you didn’t get the chance to visit our booth and engage with our team at MGMA, learn more about TeleVox’s Patient Relationship Management Platform here: Practice Edition