🌞 Nurses Protest AI

Welcome to your briefing:

• AI ROUNDUP: Large language models are poor medical coders

• INDUSTRY ROUNDUP: Hackers were in Change Healthcare system 9 days before ransomware attack

• WELLNESS BYTES: Western diet may cause long-lasting memory damage to growing brains

• INSIGHTS CORNER: The human side of generative AI

• TRIVIA: Google's AI system that can diagnose over 50 types of eye diseases from retinal scans with accuracy matching human experts is called

AI ROUNDUP

• Large language models are poor medical coders (Read More)

• Nurses gather at Kaiser SF to protest AI in health care (Read More)

• GE HealthCare launches voice-activated, AI-powered ultrasound machines for women’s health (Read More)

• Use of AI advances adaptive radiotherapy for cancer care (Read More)

• Conversational AI improves 'fourth trimester' maternal care at Penn Medicine (Read More)

• FDA clears AI tool for detecting cancer signs in bone marrow (Read More)

• OpenAI’s GPT-4 outperforms doctors in another new study (Read More)

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

• Hackers were in Change Healthcare system 9 days before ransomware attack (Read More)

• Simple HealthKit partners with Amazon to increase access to at-home diagnostics and chronic care (Read More)

• DOD’s new EHR faces low user satisfaction and integration challenges, watchdog finds (Read More)

• Provider markups on specialty drugs increased commercial premiums (Read More)

• Top Leaders’ 10 Predictions on the next big thing in health (Read More)

WELLNESS BYTES

• Why the longevity gap between men and women is widening (Read More)

• A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works (Read More)

• Western diet may cause long-lasting memory damage to growing brains (Read More)

INSIGHTS CORNER

The human side of Generative AI

Generative AI is set to revolutionize the healthcare industry by enhancing the roles and productivity of its workforce. McKinsey's insights suggest that while the technology primarily targets non-clinical tasks at present, its adoption is poised to expand significantly, affecting both clinical and administrative roles within healthcare settings.

Generative AI's Role in Healthcare

The report categorizes users of generative AI into "light users" and "non-users." Light users employ AI tools for administrative tasks such as documentation, scheduling, and basic patient interactions, thus freeing up time for more patient-centered care.

Notably, many healthcare professionals currently fall into the non-user category, focusing on direct patient care without AI assistance. However, as AI technologies advance, their adoption in clinical settings is anticipated to increase​​.

Skill Demands and Workforce Dynamics

One of the central insights from the report is the evolving skill set required in the healthcare industry. While technical skills remain fundamental, there is a growing emphasis on cognitive and social-emotional skills. These skills are crucial for healthcare professionals to provide empathetic care and adapt to the rapid technological changes that generative AI brings​.

The changing landscape of workplace expectations is another critical area highlighted in the report. Healthcare professionals increasingly value flexible work arrangements, meaningful engagement, and a supportive environment more than traditional compensation models. These factors contribute to job satisfaction and can significantly reduce professional burnout, making them essential considerations for healthcare organizations aiming to integrate AI technologies effectively​.

Strategic Integration of AI

The report advocates for a strategic approach to the integration of generative AI that emphasizes enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities. Successful AI deployment should support healthcare workers in their roles, ensuring that technology serves as a complement to their skills, particularly in enhancing patient care.

Healthcare leaders are encouraged to focus on developing AI strategies that align with the needs of their workforce. This involves understanding the specific ways in which AI can augment healthcare services and implementing these technologies in a manner that supports healthcare professionals' work environments and job satisfaction.

Future Implications

As generative AI continues to evolve, its potential to transform the healthcare sector is immense. Healthcare organizations that can effectively integrate AI into their operations while addressing the human side of technology adoption will likely lead in innovation and productivity.

The report underscores the importance of balancing technological advancements with workforce development and support, ensuring that generative AI acts as a catalyst for enhancing both patient care and professional fulfillment.

Access the full report here

AI TRIVIA

HEALTHCARE CONFERENCES

APRIL

• May 5-7: American Telemedicine Association ATA Nexus 2024 (Phoenix)

• May 5-8: Milken Institute Global Conference (Beverly Hills, CA)

• May 6-8: Fierce Medical Affairs Strategic Summit East (Jersey City, NJ)

• May 13-15: Fierce Digital Pharma Engage (Newport Beach, CA)

• May 14-16: IHI Patient Safety Congress (Orlando)

• May 14-15: Fierce Pharma PR & Communications Summit West (Newport Beach, CA)

• May 21-23: Fierce Digital Pharma Innovation Week (virtual)

• May 21-23: WSJ The Future of Everything (New York City)

• May 29-31: thINc360 – The Healthcare Innovation Congress (Washington, D.C.)

• May 31-June 4: American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (Chicago)