Healthcare leaders are having to navigate a fundamentally changed world due to artificial intelligence (AI) and the pandemic, said Dr. Jan Kimpen, Philips' chief medical officer, at the June 8 launch of the company's Future Health Index 2022 report.
The document highlights how radiologists are also among the leaders in AI, having higher global rates of usage of (31%) than their peers in operational roles.
Overall, only about one in five (22%) healthcare leaders use predictive analytics for diagnostic guidance, but 68% of the sample agree that predictive analytics can have a positive impact on improving health inequality. The report indicates challenges still exist, with 46% of healthcare leaders viewing data as more of a burden than an asset.
The authors also point out that overcoming the barriers to effective data use is crucial to gaining widespread AI adoption. While confident in the value of data, healthcare leaders remain frustrated by ongoing barriers to effective data usage, including siloed data (51%) and infrastructure limitations (23%). With hackers increasingly targeting the healthcare sector, one in five (21%) cite concerns about data privacy and security as a top barrier to using data to its full potential.
Another serious challenge is "the great resignation," noted Kimpen, adding that more than half of all healthcare workers worldwide are experiencing burnout that if not addressed, could cause many to leave their fields. The report warned that the consequences of poor staff retention are severe and include high costs associated with replacing staff, which affect patient care and staff morale. Globally, around one in three healthcare leaders (30%) say staff satisfaction and retention combined is a top priority.
The pandemic "jump-started" data usage, such as wearable technology, contact tracing apps, and telehealth consultations, which enabled care to be delivered beyond the confines of hospital boundaries and ensured continuity of care during unprecedented times, according to the authors of the report.
These technologies also include digital health records, telehealth, and AI tools that can enhance efficiency, improve care, and connect remote communities. Healthcare leaders are looking to secure the right technology infrastructure to ensure they get maximum value from telehealth. The report notes that this is a priority for 26% of healthcare leaders.
You can download a copy of the report from the Philips website.
