Part I of the 2026 CHIME CIO survey* explains what health systems are prioritizing; Part II reveals how they plan to execute those priorities, through people, sourcing strategies, and a renewed focus on simplifying their technology ecosystems.
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A Workforce Under Pressure: Stable Heads, Scarce Skills
As IT turnover remains remarkably low, 67% of CIOs report turnover of 5% or less; the real challenge lies in finding specialized skills, particularly in cybersecurity (44%). Infrastructure/ technical roles follow at 22%. CIOs aren’t worried about losing talent; they’re worried about not being able to find the people they need.
While cybersecurity has remained the top challenge, IT leadership has fallen sharply as a concern, from 29% in 2025 to just 6% in 2026, indicating that pain points are consolidating around security and core infrastructure rather than leadership. As healthcare moves deeper into risk mitigation, CIOs are increasingly relying on cybersecurity professionals to safeguard patient safety, protect clinical workflows, and defend against rising cyber threats.
When organizations can’t hire, they adapt. The data reveals a tie for the top staffing strategy: hiring contractors for short‑term projects and reassigning or reorganizing their existing staff.
We partner with health systems facing these pressures, helping them bridge specialized skill gaps. We help organizations maintain momentum even when the talent market makes it difficult to staff internally. Learn more about our staffing services.
Managed Services: From Option to Operating Model
One of the clearest trends in this year’s survey is how normalized managed services have become.
- 33% of organizations already use managed services
- 39% consider them a viable option
- 28% would subscribe to additional managed services if needed
This is a dramatic shift from even a few years ago, when outsourcing remained stigmatized in certain communities. In the 2025 survey results, only 7% of respondents ranked managed services and IT labor alternatives as a top priority.
Now, leaders are embracing the idea that internal teams shouldn’t have to do everything. For many CIOs, managed services are becoming a relief valve, a way to re‑balance their teams and focus internal talent on strategy rather than firefighting.
It’s no surprise, that cybersecurity (SOC) is the area CIOs are most likely to consider for managed service support, selected by 22% of respondents. In a landscape where cyber skill shortages are persistent and threats are evolving, handing off monitoring, escalation, and 24/7 oversight to a trusted partner is becoming an essential extension of the IT operating model.
Following closely behind is help/service desk in second place, reinforcing the value organizations place on responsive, always-on user support. Application management, hosting, and legacy application support are all tied for third; areas where operational reliability, cost control, and institutional knowledge are critical. These priorities align closely with CereCore’s managed services portfolio, which is designed to extend IT teams with scalable expertise across end-user support, application operations, and infrastructure. By shifting these functions to a trusted managed services partner, organizations can stabilize day-to-day operations and refocus internal resources on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.
This shift toward partnership extends beyond operations into advisory needs as well. When asked which advisory services would be most valuable in leading their organizations forward, CIOs pointed first to organizational optimization (aligning resources, applications, infrastructure, and operations). Cybersecurity advisory followed closely, along with support for technology adoption and digital transformation, particularly in areas like revenue cycle modernization.
This represents a notable departure from 2025, when cybersecurity held the top spot. In 2026, organizational optimization has risen from the third‑most valuable advisory service to the leading need, signaling that CIOs are looking for partners who can help streamline their environments and drive operational efficiency, not just strengthen security defenses.
Together, these findings paint a picture of healthcare IT leaders who aren’t just looking for help, they’re looking for the right kind of help: partners who can simplify complexity, augment scarce capability, and accelerate meaningful change.
Learn more about how CereCore can help:
Our excellence in Managed IT Services is backed by our 2026 KLAS score of 93 and top marks across client experience for the third consecutive year. See why clients consistently recommend us, read our 2026 KLAS ranking announcement.
Rationalization: The Program No One Can Afford to Ignore
While application rationalization surfaced in Part I as a top 2026 priority, Part II dives into how organizations are tackling it.
- 61% say rationalization is a high‑urgency priority
- 44% leverage internal resources in a part‑time capacity
- 39% use a mix of full and part‑time internal resources
- 11% partner externally for all or part of the work
- 17% run rationalization as an ongoing program with governance
- 44% agree that CIOs are responsible for application rationalization
The boldest insight:
Almost half incorporate contract consolidation and negotiation into rationalization, highlighting that the initiative is no longer just about technology, it’s about financial and operational alignment.
Check out our top application rationalization resources:
How CereCore Helps Leaders Deliver on These Priorities
Across the survey, leaders highlighted pressures that align directly with CereCore’s core service areas:
- Application rationalization paired with contract consolidation and decommissioning support
- Cybersecurity advisory and incident readiness, including tabletop exercises and technical assessments
- Managed IT services, from service desk to legacy system support
- Fractional leadership to fill IT gaps without long hiring cycles and lack of local talent
- EHR optimization and implementation across clinical and operational domains
Through a combination of advisory expertise, hands‑on execution, and managed services, CereCore helps IT leaders create a sustainable operating model while advancing their long‑term strategy.
About the CHIME Survey
The respondent demographic was primarily made up of Chief Information Officers (56%). More than half of participants (53%) represented mid-to-large healthcare organizations with 250 beds or more. This audience profile affords us insight into the rationale of those responsible for maintaining and implementing healthcare technology within seasoned organizations.
Are you a CHIME member who didn't get a chance to respond to the survey, but would like to be a voice next year? Get started today.
*The 2026 online survey and the data reported is based on responses from 24 healthcare executives, all CHIME members, sponsored by CereCore.
