On 23 May 2024, the Association Leaders Circle hosted the virtual meeting “Unlocking the future: AI technology and digital transformation in healthcare” with more than 60 participants from 30 countries. 

The session, chaired by Dr Wang-Jun Lee, Vice President of the Korean Hospital Association and Chairman and CEO of Myongji Hospital, provided an overview of digital transformation strategies in healthcare. The speakers from HCA Healthcare and NAVER Healthcare Lab shared concrete examples of how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be used to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare delivery. They also addressed the potential risks associated with generative AI. 

Age of generative AI 

 Dr Koon Ho Rha, Director at NAVER Healthcare Lab, presented the key aspects of digital healthcare using generative AI. Generative AI is a powerful technology that has applications across various areas. In healthcare, it is transforming patient-facing and administrative functions in hospitals. 

AI can assist in managing the high volume of daily interactions and patient inquiries, generating documents, and improving voice technology. Dr Rha provided examples of how AI voice technology and other technologies can be used to navigate clinical paths and enhance efficiency, such as with patient handover, recommended exams, and generating medical records.  

NAVER is also addressing data security through the use of Neurocloud, a secure storage solution for hospital data, ensuring privacy and safety. 

Transforming healthcare delivery with intelligent applications and AI 

Dr. Michael Schlosser, the Senior Vice President of Care Transformation and Innovation at HCA Healthcare, emphasized two key points. Firstly, he stressed that an effective AI strategy is essentially a data strategy, as high-quality, up-to-date data is crucial for successful AI implementation. Secondly, he highlighted that while AI is a powerful tool, it is just one of many tools available for improving care delivery. 

The challenge is to effectively utilize rapidly advancing technologies to enhance the delivery of care. For HCA Healthcare, technology is a support, and the ultimate goal is to create a seamless care experience. This involves optimizing the efficiency of healthcare workers and reducing time spent on administrative tasks, allowing for more time to be allocated to patients. 

Dr. Schlosser stressed that the goal is not to substitute the healthcare workforce with AI, but to create new, more efficient workflows using these technologies. It is essential to take a human-centered approach, focusing on adjusting behaviors and workflows to integrate AI effectively without displacing care team members. 

Responsible AI: Risk mitigation 

AI is a powerful tool with undeniable benefits, but it also carries significant risks related to privacy, impartiality, and reliability. Managing these risks is crucial when implementing an AI strategy. Earlier this year, HCA Healthcare launched the Responsible AI programme, which oversees and manages AI in various areas, including governance, education, and regulatory compliance. This approach ensures that AI produces the desired outcomes safely and ethically. 

Where next for AI in hospitals? 

Through the exchange of knowledge and good practice, hospitals and healthcare delivery services can collaborate to foster a culture of innovation that shapes the future of healthcare.  

The discussion on this important topic will continue at this year’s World Hospital Congress in Rio (September 2024). Dr Rha and Dr Schlosser will be there, and this will be a great opportunity to further exchange on this topic with them and learn from others. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation at the World Hospital Congress!