Healthcare leaders tackle AI procurement challenges
MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES — Healthcare technology leaders are facing significant challenges in procuring artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
At the 2024 HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum, experts discussed the complexities of integrating AI into healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for strategic decision-making amidst a marketplace cluttered with point solutions and unfulfilled promises.
Vendor transparency and workflow integration
Healthcare decision-makers stressed the importance of AI vendors’ transparency. Lee Schwamm, Chief Digital Health Officer at Yale New Haven Health System, highlighted the need for vendors to be honest about their capabilities.
“You can say, I’m a company built on X, and we’re starting to infuse our product with some AI – that’s very reasonable,” Schwamm stated. This honesty is crucial for building trust and ensuring effective integration into existing workflows.
Eve Cunningham, Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health at Providence, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the complexity of integrating new technologies.
“You can have the best point solution in the world, but if they can’t integrate… there’s just a very low level of interest in engaging on that front,” she noted.
Strategic partnerships and addressing ‘pilot fatigue’
The forum also addressed the importance of targeting sales pitches appropriately and finding the right decision-makers.
Dr. David Newman, Chief Medical Officer of Virtual Care at Sanford Health, emphasized the need for vendors to understand a provider’s mission before reaching out. “That way, instead of skipping over your email, I’m going to answer you,” he explained.
The concept of “pilot fatigue” was also discussed, with Cunningham noting the strain of testing numerous AI solutions. Vendors must demonstrate whether their products enhance physician productivity or offer revolutionary capabilities that justify changes in workflow.
Future vision and financial considerations
Looking ahead, healthcare leaders are contemplating the future of AI in healthcare settings. Cunningham envisioned a technology-driven doctor’s office where AI streamlines tasks and enhances patient interactions.
However, the financial implications of AI adoption remain a concern. Schwamm pointed out the challenges smaller organizations face due to limited resources and the need for collaborative approaches to AI adoption.
Data ownership and ethical implications
The forum also touched on data ownership and the ethical implications of AI. Schwamm raised concerns about data used to train AI models, noting that returning raw data does not equate to returning the intellectual property derived from it.
Sunil Dadlani, Atlantic Health System’s chief information and digital officer, emphasized the need for interoperability and smarter decision-making to enhance patient outcomes.
In conclusion, while AI holds transformative potential for healthcare, leaders must navigate procurement challenges with strategic foresight and collaboration.
The path to successful AI integration lies in transparency, effective partnerships, and a clear understanding of the technology’s role in enhancing healthcare delivery.
