7 Practical Ways to Boost Tech Adoption in Your Clinic

PLAYWORK
6 hours ago
3 min read

Written by PLAYWORK | Dec. 2025

How to make sure your team actually uses new tools - and gets the most value from them

One morning, I received a call from a rehabilitation department manager. She sounded frustrated, sharing a challenge that might sound familiar: "We want to charge our new devices overnight, but we’re afraid they’ll get stolen. So everything stays locked in cabinets… and we can’t actually charge them."

This is more than a quirk technical issue - it’s a very real problem in many clinics. Devices need power, therapists need access, and security can’t be compromised. Left unresolved, the result is all too familiar: the technology stays in the cabinet, untouched and unused, and the clinic never sees the value it promised. Luckily, there are simple, practical ways to address this - and by the end of this newsletter, we’ll reveal the solution this department discovered.

Overcoming Barriers to Tech Adoption

Introducing new devices in a busy clinical environment is tricky: therapists juggle patient sessions, paperwork, and unexpected emergencies. Add a complex system, and adoption slows - or stalls completely.

The solution works in two directions: (a) first, the technology itself must be intuitive and easy to use; second - and equally important - (b) the workflow in the clinic should support the therapists’ work and be achievable in just a few simple steps. When these two elements come together, therapists can focus on patients rather than menus or troubleshooting. This practical, step-by-step approach has proven effective in clinics every day, helping teams integrate technology smoothly and achieve meaningful results.

7 Practical Tips for Smooth Technology Implementation

Assign a Tech Champion Identify the staff member who naturally connects with technology. Make them the Technology Lead, responsible for setup, support, and vendor communication. They keep the team aligned and confident.
Plan operational setup early Map out device placement, charging routines, user accounts, and workflow integration. A few minutes of planning now prevents daily headaches later.
Start with small, early training sessions Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” when everyone can attend. Short, early sessions let therapists begin using the system immediately and learn on the job.
Schedule periodic refreshers One session is rarely enough. Show advanced features in team meetings and offer regular refreshers to expand knowledge gradually.
Leverage software updates Version upgrades are perfect opportunities for brief training sessions to introduce new features and refresh skills.
Document and share clinical use cases internally Encourage staff to share photos, videos, or examples. Seeing peers use the system sparks ideas, engagement, and curiosity.
Engage vendor support Don’t hesitate to reach out. Most vendors are eager to help clinics maximize the system’s value with guidance and practical tips.

Back to the Charging Problem: How the Hospital Solved It?

The charging problem the department manager raised actually already had a solution in the hospital. With the growing trend of rehabilitation technologies, many institutions have already developed internal solutions for similar challenges. In this case, the Innovation Manager had installed special charging cabinets: devices can charge securely inside a locked cabinet, with built-in outlets allowing safe overnight charging.

The manager simply hadn’t been informed. Once she knew, the department adopted the cabinets immediately, solving the problem. This shows a common scenario: practical solutions often already exist, and it’s worth checking internally before assuming a problem has no answer. Communication and workflow integration are just as important as the technology itself.

Key takeaway: The right technology works because it’s intuitive, accessible, and integrated into clinic workflows. With early training, practical planning, and smart solutions—even ones that already exist—your team can fully leverage new tools and deliver better outcomes for patients.