Consider the common theme across discoveries like penicillin, the microwave, X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Insulin Therapy Development. At first glance, these were all discoveries of geniuses who got it right on the first time of trying. However, dismissing them as mere strokes of luck overlooks a deeper truth: these breakthroughs emerged from a rigorous process of learning from unexpected outcomes.

For health professionals and healthcare administrators, embracing a mindset of continuous experimentation and collaborative problem-solving is crucial for advancing the health industry. In a field where the stakes are high and the challenges are complex, understanding that nothing is perfect the first time is essential. By embracing a more experimental mindset, we can significantly boost the levels of collaboration between health providers and technology vendor product teams and in turn give new innovations the time they need to deliver their outcomes in a systematic and meaningful way.

Each of the discoveries listed above began with failed experiments, yet their inventors did something different from most. Instead of discarding their “failed” experiments, they asked why the outcomes differed from their expectations. This curiosity and perseverance led to transformative innovations.

In today’s innovation landscape, particularly in healthcare, breakthroughs often stem from a continuous process of testing and refining. As Steve Blank, author of The Startup Owner's Manual, emphasises, “No business plan survives first contact with customers.” This reflects the reality that success often emerges from repeated iterations and learning from setbacks.

A growing body of research in the health technology space now supports this approach:

• “Understanding Healthcare Professionals’ Attitudes Towards Health Information Technology: A Review of the Literature” highlights that resistance to technology adoption often stems from not fully understanding the technology’s benefits or addressing user concerns. Continuous engagement and iterative improvements can help overcome these barriers (van der Meijden et al., International Journal of Medical Informatics).
• “The Role of Organizational Culture in the Adoption of Electronic Health Records” underscores the importance of fostering a supportive culture and leadership to drive successful technology adoption (Shapiro et al., Health Care Management Review).
• “Overcoming Barriers to Health Information Technology Adoption: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Providers' Perspectives” provides insights into the practical challenges and solutions for integrating new technologies (Neumark et al., Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association).
• “Behavioral Challenges and Strategies for Successful Implementation of Electronic Health Records” discusses strategies such as training and communication to address behavioral challenges in technology implementation (Johnson et al., Journal of Medical Systems).
• “The Impact of User Training on the Adoption of Electronic Health Records: A Systematic Review” emphasizes that comprehensive training is crucial for reducing resistance and improving technology integration (Rogers et al., BMC Health Services Research).
• “Adopting New Health Technologies: The Role of Communication and Engagement Strategies” highlights how effective communication and stakeholder involvement can facilitate technology adoption (Allen et al., Health Communication).

The key to breakthrough innovation is not to avoid failure but to embrace it as part of the learning process. As Buckminster Fuller wisely noted, “There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes.” By shifting from a mindset of “failing” to one of “learning,” and by continuously A/B testing different solutions, we can uncover insights that drive true progress.

With all this said, treating complex patients involves starting with a broad treatment plan and then making incremental adjustments based on ongoing assessments and responses. In both fields, success doesn’t come from finding a perfect solution right away but from a process of continual refinement and adaptation. Similarly, in health technology, breakthroughs often arise from iterative testing and learning from unexpected outcomes, refining the approach until the solution effectively meets the needs of the end users. This parallel underscores the importance of a flexible, resilient mindset in both fields, where persistence and adaptation pave the way for success.

So, I encourage you to embrace a parallel mindset between the work we do as clinicians and how we perceive new technoloigies. Reflect on your own projects and consider how adopting a continuous learning approach can enhance your efforts. Together, we can advance health technology by turning unexpected outcomes into valuable insights and impactful innovations.

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