Healthcare CIO workload has increased both in scope of responsibilities and in complexity since HITECH and these executives expect this workload to continue to grow significantly over the next five years, according to a white paper from executive search firm SSi-Search.

In related findings, the firm concluded that compensation has not kept pace with the increasingly workload demands of the CIO.

This study culminated from interviews of 178 CIOs, as well as conversations with other healthcare executives. SSi-Search created a composite picture of the CIO based on those interviewed:

• 82 percent are male
• 97 percent have a college degree
• 61 percent have a master’s degree
• Total compensation ranged from less than $125,000 to more than $725,000 per year

In terms of “the greatest frustration,” CIOs described difficulties in obtaining resources needed to get the work done. Also, many CIOs cited frustration about the lack of strategic involvement with other executives on key initiatives.

“CIOs complained that they were not always brought in at the onset of a project. This, they cautioned, jeopardized the ability to maximize efficiencies,” according to the report. Other findings:

• The most underutilized skill reported was strategic ability
• The majority of CIOs saw the next step in their career as a move to a larger health system
• CIOs are foremost focused on building better teams

Read the full paper here.