Artificial intelligence is often hailed as the solution to many of healthcare's pressing challenges, especially in the face of a growing workforce shortage. However, industry leaders caution against viewing AI as a quick fix.
"One of the biggest misconceptions about healthcare in 2024 is that artificial intelligence will be a panacea for the issues we face around workforce shortages," said Roxanna Gapstur, PhD RN, president and CEO of WellSpan Health in York, Pa. "Generative AI and other applications have been a wonderful adjunct at this point for improving efficiency, quality and safety in particular areas. However, believing the applications will wholly replace certain roles is likely not in the near future unless it is a purely administrative task not impacting safety of care."
The excitement around AI as a solution for the big challenges in healthcare overlooks the uncertainties and potential risks, said Kurt Koczent, RNB, executive vice president and COO of UR Thompson Health in Canandaigua, N.Y.
"While there's undeniable momentum and high expectations surrounding the integration of AI in healthcare, the ultimate outcome remains unclear," he said. "It's crucial to understand that substantial efforts are required in the governance and management of AI within healthcare systems. This is necessary to safeguard our patients, healthcare professionals, and the institutions themselves."
Health systems are still in the early stages of developing AI governance and integrating it safely into clinical and administrative functions. Over the next decade, AI could realize a larger impact on the hospital workforce.
"What will happen in the long term is less certain, and it's entirely possible that eventual use of more sophisticated AI may allow for a redesign of roles and applications which could be transformational," said Dr. Gapstur.
But even in the long term, an AI-driven workforce redesign doesn't mean hospitals will eliminate jobs. Ebrahim Barkoudah, MD, system chief and regional chief medical officer of Baystate Health in Springfield, Mass., said there is a misguided fear that AI And machine learning will replace workers.
"While it is true that AI and ML are transforming healthcare by automating routine tasks and improving diagnostic accuracy, they are not replacing human jobs; instead, they are changing the nature of work in the industry," said Dr. Barkoudah. "These technologies free up healthcare professionals from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex, patient-centric activities that require human empathy and critical thinking."
J.P. Valin, MD, chief clinical officer of Salt Lake City, Utah-based Intermountain Health field similar questions about whether AI will replace human clinicians in determining treatment plans. Humans, he says, are still very needed in the process.
"Healthcare AI is designed to augment clinical care, not replace it with a machine," said Dr. Valin. "AI can assist in making more accurate diagnoses, predicting patient outcomes and personalizing treatment plans, but the final decisions and care are still in the hands of human healthcare professionals."
The looming clinician shortage will lead to innovative ways for AI to assist human workers and support care delivery. Dr. Valin said it's "crucial" for clinicians to leverage AI so they can focus more on the human-to-human connection building.
"At Intermountain Health, we are thoughtfully and strategically implementing AI solutions proven to enhance the clinician and patient experience, improve quality of care, and in many cases, help lower the cost of healthcare delivery," said Dr. Valin.
New roles are emerging in healthcare with the technological advancements, including AI specialist, data analysts and cybersecurity experts.
"Rather than diminishing the workforce, AI and ML are reshaping it, creating opportunities for a more skilled and diverse labor force capable of delivering superior patient care in an increasingly digital world," said Dr. Barkoudah.