Sermo Survey: 81% of Physicians Say Technical Proficiency is Equal to Clinical Expertise
The 37th Barometer report from Sermo, a leading platform for healthcare professional (HCP) engagement offering real-time business insights and genuine physician interactions, revealed that 81% of physicians consider technical proficiency to be just as important as clinical expertise in their practice. This highlights the increasing importance of technology in delivering more efficient and precise patient care.
In the 37th edition of Sermo’s Barometer study, the evolving relationship between technology and healthcare was put into sharp focus, revealing key insights on how physicians view the increasing role of technical proficiency in their practices. As medical technology advances rapidly, many doctors now believe that technical skills are just as important as clinical expertise when it comes to providing optimal care.
“Technical proficiency is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s a necessity as a modern provider,” explains Dr. Kyle Lee, a member of the Sermo Medical Advisory Board. “Mastering clinical skills has always been the foundation of our practice, but without the ability to effectively leverage advanced technologies, we risk falling behind. Integrating both sets of skills allows us to diagnose faster, treat smarter, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
Physicians Embrace Technological Advances but Struggle with Integration
While physicians recognize the importance of technology in advancing patient care, many also face challenges in integrating it effectively into their practices. According to the Barometer, the majority of physicians believe artificial intelligence (AI) will be the most influential technology in enhancing patient care over the next five years. Other promising technologies include genomics in personalized medicine and remote robotic surgery.
“Cutting-edge technologies like remote robotic surgery are revolutionizing the way we approach patient care,” says Dr. Guy Jones, Medical Director for Oncology Nevada and another member of the Sermo Medical Advisory Board. “These technologies not only improve quality, precision, and efficiency in complex procedures, but they also expand access to specialized care by breaking down geographical barriers. It’s a glimpse into the future of medicine, where innovation continually redefines what’s possible in healthcare.”
Despite the excitement surrounding these technological advances, a study at Northwestern Medicine revealed a stark reality: physicians are overwhelmed by the demands of electronic health record (EHR) keeping and managing alerts, leaving them with only 13% of their time for direct patient contact.
This translates into just six minutes per patient per day. The Sermo Barometer survey also found that redundant compliance documentation tools, complex EHR systems, and excessive data entry requirements were seen as the most burdensome elements of daily practice.
Learning Preferences and the Cost of Keeping Up with Technology
As healthcare technologies evolve rapidly, physicians face the challenge of staying up-to-date. A significant number of physicians still prefer in-person training for new technologies, with 55% of surveyed doctors indicating this as their learning preference. Online courses and webinars are also popular alternatives. Additionally, many physicians believe there should be a greater focus on non-clinical training during medical school, with the top three desired topics being EHR systems (44%), telemedicine platforms (42%), and diagnostic AI tools (42%).
However, this ongoing commitment to learning comes at a cost. Sixty-three percent of physicians feel they aren’t adequately compensated for their time spent on learning new technologies, a sentiment that rises to 69% among U.S. physicians. The average amount of time dedicated to learning new technologies also varies across generations and between personal and professional time:
| Generation | Personal Hours/Month | Professional Hours/Month |
|---|---|---|
| All Physicians | 22 hours | 29 hours |
| Millennials | 22 hours | 30 hours |
| Gen X | 23 hours | 27 hours |
| Baby Boomers | 13 hours | 21 hours |
This significant time investment can contribute to burnout, with 48.2% of physicians reporting at least one symptom of burnout, according to an AMA survey.
The Impact of Insurance Reimbursement on Technology Use
The Sermo Barometer also explored the potential effects of changes to Medicare reimbursements for telehealth on physicians’ practices. With new telehealth regulations taking effect in March, 53% of U.S. physicians expressed concern that the changes would negatively affect their practice. Many doctors indicated that this shift would have a particularly adverse impact on the clinical aspect of their practice, followed by operational and logistical challenges.
A Comprehensive Survey of Global Healthcare Professionals
The Sermo Barometer survey, which was fielded between February 7th and 12th, 2025, included responses from 611 healthcare professionals worldwide. These physicians came from various specialties, including cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general family practice, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. The results of the survey reflect a broad spectrum of experiences and challenges faced by healthcare professionals as they navigate the complex landscape of medical technology integration.
About Sermo
Sermo is a physician engagement platform designed to provide the healthcare industry with real-time business insights and authentic physician touchpoints through a global community of over 1 million healthcare professionals. For over 20 years, Sermo has turned physician expertise, observations, and experiences into actionable insights that benefit pharmaceutical companies, healthcare partners, and the medical community. With cutting-edge technology and a user-friendly interface, Sermo is helping to drive more efficient, informed, and effective healthcare worldwide.
