epocrates
Podcast Recap | AMA Update: Pros and cons of augmented intelligence in healthcare
Although augmented intelligence (AR) in healthcare can be beneficial, resistance to this technology remains. In this podcast, Todd Unger, AMA Chief Experience Officer, and Margaret Lozovatsky, MD, AMA Vice President of Digital Health Innovations, discuss clinicians’ mixed feelings regarding use of AI in their practices. They also address how clinicians can be involved in developing new, beneficial AR tools.
Podcast length: 14 minutes, 9 seconds
5 Key Takeaways
1. Using AR in healthcare automation and administrative tasks could alleviate clinician burnout.
Necessary administrative tasks frequently burden clinicians’ daily workflow. Dr. Lozovatsky mentions that she often sees over 20 patients daily when rounding. The time that it takes to chart and order medications for 20 or more patients can be mentally draining. However, clinicians can automate these daily administrative tasks, like prior authorization, using AR tools that will reduce their time behind a computer screen.
2. About 80% of burnout derives from system-level problems, such as workflow-related issues.
As you know, a clinician's workflow varies by specialty and location. The workflow of a pediatrician in an office vastly deviates from a cardiologist working in a hospital. And because the day-to-day for each specialty varies, clinicians are encouraged to share their voice on their unique workflows and how this new technology is implemented.
3. AMA’s Physician Innovation Network (PIN) encourages clinician involvement.
The Physician Innovation Network (PIN) is a platform that bridges the gaps between healthcare professionals and technology developers. Clinicians with concerns regarding the effectiveness of AR tools in their practice are encouraged to join PIN. By joining, clinicians can express their concerns and help develop tools that work for their specialty.
The collaboration of clinicians and developers can enhance AR and tailor it to meet clinicians' needs. Clinicians can also assist with the functionality and usability of technology, serving as a catalyst for improvements and change in healthcare and clinical workflow.
4. About 41% of clinicians are equally excited and concerned about the impact of AR.
Clinicians have voiced a few primary questions of concern:
- Is the technology going to work?
- Is it effective?
- Am I going to be liable if I use it?
- Will I get paid with the technologies that I use?
Dr. Lozovatsky believes clinicians' most critical concern is whether it will work for them in their practice.
Fear around AI is expected, with concerns about it taking over patient care. Yet, AR is different because it's supplemental to human intelligence. Technology won't replace providers' ability to think critically and diagnose their patients, but it will provide an easier route to gather information when making decisions.
5. One of clinicians' top concerns is AR's potential impact on patient-clinician relationships, but it has the potential to strengthen them.
Understandably, the concern about how much face-to-face interaction a clinician will have with their patients comes to mind at the mention of AR; the fear of it replacing personal interactions with patients can cause resistance.
However, leveraging AR technology can offload administrative tasks and automate repetitive processes, allowing clinicians to use the extra time for their patients and to create more meaningful interactions. According to Dr. Lozovatsky, AMA's stance is to "change the narrative to have technology be the enabler so that we can make sure we're supporting our clinicians and caring for their patients."
Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast recap are solely that of the host and guests and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of epocrates and athenahealth.
Source:
Unger, T (Host). (2024, February 6). Augmented intelligence: Pros and cons of AI in health care and clinical workflow [Audio podcast episode]. In AMA Update. American Medical Association. https://ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/augmented-intelligence-pros-and-cons-ai-health-care-and-clinical-0