NRC - National Research Corporation
12/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/11/2024 10:32
AI and digital solutions to address healthcare challenges
The integration of digital health technologies is revolutionizing patient care and healthcare delivery. This transformation is not about merely adopting new tools, but enhancing the patient experience while maintaining a strong focus on the human element.
Strategic implementation of these technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is essential to meet the unique needs of various stakeholders. Addressing critical issues like supply-demand imbalances and healthcare professional burnout requires a collaborative approach, involving healthcare professionals in the design and deployment of AI solutions. This ensures that the technology is tailored to the users' needs, fostering effective and sustainable change.
A recent NRC Health webcast delves into the convergence of digital health, patient care, and healthcare transformation, emphasizing the necessity of Human Understanding. Featuring Dr. Geeta "Dr. G" Nayyar and NRC Health Chief Product Officer Vinita Ramnathan, the discussion highlights the evolution of healthcare IT, the importance of the physician-patient relationship, and the challenges of physician burnout and health equity.
Both experts advocate for a balanced approach to integrating AI and digital tools, stressing that technology should support, not replace, human elements in healthcare. They also discuss the potential of AI to enhance efficiency in the revenue cycle and clinical settings, while emphasizing the need for gradual implementation, human oversight, and stakeholder involvement.
The conversation also addresses the benefits of telemedicine in rural areas and the importance of trust, transparency, and ethical considerations in AI development.
Speakers
- Geeta Nayyar, M.D., M.B.A., globally recognized chief medical officer, technologist, and best-selling author
- Vinitha Ramnathan, Chief Product Officer, NRC Health
Key takeaways
- Humanity in Healthcare:The webcast emphasizes the importance of maintaining humanity and Human Understanding at the core of digital health and healthcare transformation discussions.
- Evolution of Records:Dr. G highlights the evolution from paper to digital records and the ongoing challenges in healthcare IT, including physician burnout, health equity, and varying degrees of trust in science.
- Transparent Healthcare Technologies:Ramnathan underscores the need for transparency, fairness, and validation in implementing new healthcare technologies, focusing on human well-being.
- AI Enhancing Healthcare:Both experts discuss the potential of AI and digital tools to enhance healthcare delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and improve patient outcomes, while cautioning against the use of technology for technology's sake.
- Gradual Technology Implementation:Both Dr. G and Ramnathan advocate for a gradual approach to implementing new technologies in the revenue cycle, emphasizing the need for pilots and understanding which parts can be automated.
- Clinical Leadership Involvement:Successful change management in healthcare IT requires involving clinical leadership from the beginning and learning from past mistakes, such as the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs).
- Rural Healthcare Access:AI and technology can significantly improve healthcare access in rural areas through telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and video visits, despite legislative and policy challenges.
- Trust in Technology:Building trust in AI and technology requires transparency, security, ethical considerations, and a collaborative effort by marketing, medical, and IT departments.
Related resources
Want to learn more? Check out the clip below and watch the full webcast on-demand.