Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every industry. In healthcare, there are numerous opportunities to integrate AI into both clinical and administrative processes.
The sector is grappling with major economic challenges, including budget cuts and ongoing staff shortages. In this context, technology has the potential to empower healthcare providers to maintain the safety and quality of care that we all expect.
Fujitsu’s research in collaboration with the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) reveals that 82% of respondents believe AI will play a crucial role in healthcare and can be harnessed for positive outcomes.
Advantages of AI extend across various areas of workforce satisfaction and patient care.
By automating administrative tasks, AI allows skilled professionals to concentrate on higher-value responsibilities, such as patient care, training junior clinicians, and reducing medical errors.
Additionally, AI can enhance resource allocation efficiency in a complex environment that has traditionally struggled with waste and low productivity.
An AI-driven, data-based approach that utilizes historical performance data rather than relying on human estimation can significantly improve the scheduling of resources when they are most needed.
Improved productivity also often leads to better governance, making it feasible for healthcare providers to meet their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
One of the most challenging and urgent tasks in hospital emergency departments is triage. AI is well-positioned to assist clinicians with predictive, informed triage, ensuring that patients with the most critical needs receive timely treatment.
Patient care is experiencing a AI revolution
According to research by Fujitsu and the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH), one in five clinicians are already using AI to support their diagnostic processes. Those who incorporate AI into their practice are positioned to set and achieve higher standards of patient care.
However, health service management is still working on implementing Responsible AI, carefully selecting policies, ethics, and expertise to meet their organisational needs. Many are falling behind the workforce, particularly in areas where AI is used for clinical decision support.
One promising approach to advancing Responsible AI adoption is through wearable technology for patients, whether in hospitals or at home. These devices can monitor chronic conditions and predict acute exacerbations, potentially preventing hospital admissions.
Such an application can also provide clinicians with a steady stream of diagnostic data, with patient consent and active participation. In aged care, wearables can assist with fall detection and help locate wandering patients quickly and safely.
State agencies have varying perspectives on the adoption of AI during this rapidly evolving period. Queensland and New South Wales are actively encouraging AI use in clinical settings, while Victoria is currently taking a more cautious approach, waiting for clearer guidance.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has allocated $57 million to research the application of AI in diagnosing and managing various conditions, including multiple sclerosis, cancer, and cardiac issues.
Building Trust In AI
Building trust in AI remains a significant challenge, as skepticism about its reliability and impact on the workforce persists. This can be addressed by collaborating with clinicians and healthcare professionals to identify pain points in their work and explore opportunities for AI and other assistive technologies to support them.
A KPMG report indicated that Australians are slightly less trusting of specific AI applications (e.g. in healthcare, policing, human resources, or financial investment, see Appendix) than in AI systems in general, with 46% reporting an unwillingness to trust such specific AI applications and 27% reporting ambivalence in their trust
Successfully introducing new technology requires thorough consultation and education. The process begins with a strategic plan outlining where AI can provide immediate benefits.
Many concepts related to AI adoption will be tested, with most likely yielding no measurable advantage—only a select few will succeed.
Once a project is identified, it’s essential to establish governance plans to ensure the ethical, safe, and responsible use of AI. A crucial component of these plans is developing staff skills and digital literacy, enabling them to understand and trust the technology better.
Although there may be valid hesitations about using AI in clinical settings, it has the potential to be a powerful tool for streamlining administration, assisting with triage, and allowing clinicians to dedicate more time to direct patient care.
For AI to be successfully implemented, it’s essential to establish a clear scope, ensure robust governance, and enhance the digital literacy of healthcare teams.
