Doctors vs. AI: the dispute that could change healthcare
Hospitals are debating between these two paths with AI in health: which one is the right one?
The artificial intelligence in healthcare divides hospitals between those who adopt it now and those who prefer to wait. What path is the safest?
Artificial intelligence in healthcare advances, but hospitals hesitate
The artificial intelligence in healthcare promises to improve efficiency and reduce the administrative burden on professionals. However, not all hospitals are willing to adopt it immediately. While some institutions have begun to implement AI tools, others prefer to wait for the technology to mature to ensure its safety and reliability.
This dilemma has generated a debate among the medical community and technology developers: Should we bet on AI now or is it more prudent to wait?
The most innovative hospitals pause before AI
Even the medical centers with the highest reputation for innovation are taking a cautious stance. A clear example is the MD Anderson Cancer Center, ranked in September as the seventh best smart hospital in the world by Newsweek.
This technology is already transforming healthcare, but not everyone trusts it
Despite this recognition, Dr. Lavonia Thomas, director of nursing informatics, explained at the HIMSS conference on March 3 that the institution has not yet massively integrated AI.
For Thomas, the potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare is undeniable, but its development must include the active participation of medical professionals. Especially nursing staff have expressed concerns about how these tools could affect patient safety and workload.
“Nurses are not afraid of technology, but they must be at the forefront of the development of these tools”, Thomas stated.
Another case is Banner Health, a hospital system based in Phoenix, which has opted for a similar strategy. Before making large investments in generative AI, they have established a governance system, with the participation of ethics experts, doctors, and nurses.
Currently, they are testing an AI-powered supplement based on language models developed by Anthropic, which is in the pilot phase and is expected to be implemented in the next quarter.
Despite these advances, Michael Reagin, chief technology officer of Banner Health, admits that the rapid evolution of AI poses a challenge.
"What seems like a good strategy today may become obsolete in a month", he noted in an interview with Newsweek.
Developers push for hospitals to adopt AI without delay
While hospitals proceed cautiously, technology companies insist that postponing the implementation of AI in healthcare is a mistake.
Dr. Jackie Gerhart, vice president of clinical informatics at Epic, stated at the HIMSS conference that hospitals must “start now”.
According to Gerhart, artificial intelligence in healthcare is already advanced enough to generate immediate benefits, and those who delay its adoption could fall behind in an increasingly digital environment.
For his part, Dr. Aaron Neinstein, an endocrinologist and chief medical officer of Notable, questioned the demand that AI achieve 99.99% accuracy before being used.
“Doctors, after shifts of more than 10 hours, also make mistakes. AI, although not perfect, can reduce the administrative burden and improve patient care”, he asserted.
For many experts, AI will not replace doctors, but it can be a key tool to optimize processes and improve decision-making.
AI as a solution to the financial crisis of hospitals
Beyond clinical efficiency, some analysts see artificial intelligence as a possible solution to the financial problems faced by many hospitals.
Trent Sanders, vice president of healthcare at Kyndryl, explained that AI could alleviate the economic crisis in the sector. According to a report from Kaufman Hall, 37% of hospitals in the U.S. operate at a loss.
If your hospital is not yet using AI, this is what it is missing
In this context, Sanders believes that optimizing workflows through AI could improve profit margins and prevent the closure of medical institutions.
Is it better to wait or act now? The dilemma remains unanswered
The debate about artificial intelligence in healthcare does not have a single answer. While some hospitals prioritize safety and regulation before adopting new technologies, others believe that delaying implementation could leave them out of the competition.
What seems evident is that AI will be a key piece in the future of medicine, but the pace and manner in which it is integrated is still under discussion.