HNU Healthcare Management Insights #17

How is artificial intelligence (AI) changing the world of work in the healthcare sector?

Michael Ullmann: AI is already revolutionizing the world of healthcare in many ways and has the potential to improve almost every aspect of medical care. The role of AI in radiology is particularly significant. In fact, approximately 78% of the AI-based medical devices approved by the FDA to date are intended for radiology applications. Here, AI assists radiologists by automating image analysis and detecting subtle anomalies that human eyes might miss. These technologies help to make more accurate diagnoses, reduce the error rate and significantly reduce the radiologists' workload. This allows them to focus on more complex cases and patient-related tasks.

In addition, AI plays a central role in relieving the burden of routine and administrative tasks in the healthcare sector. Automated systems can create significant added value in the following areas:

• Data analysis and interpretation: AI can analyze large amounts of patient data and provide valuable insights that contribute to the development of personalized treatment plans.
• Administrative tasks: Automation of administrative processes such as appointment scheduling, billing and document management reduces the workload for healthcare professionals and minimizes the risk of human error.
• Documentation: AI-powered speech recognition systems can take over the documentation of patient conversations and findings in real time, increasing accuracy and giving doctors more time for patient care.
• Telemedicine and remote monitoring: By using AI in telemedicine, patients can be monitored and cared for remotely. This is particularly beneficial in rural areas and during global health crises.

Another important area is patient care. For example, AI-supported chatbots and virtual assistants can answer patient questions around the clock, improve access to information and increase satisfaction. When it comes to medication, AI systems can analyze possible interactions and side effects and make recommendations for adjusting medication.

Which healthcare professions are threatened by AI?

Dr. med. Michael Ullmann: Although AI offers numerous advantages, there are certain professions in the healthcare sector that could be threatened by the use of AI technologies, especially with regard to routine and administrative tasks. These professions will certainly not be completely replaced, but their tasks could be supported or automated by AI, leading to a shift in job requirements.

Here are some examples:

• Administrative assistance: AI-supported systems for managing appointments, patient records and other administrative tasks can significantly reduce the workload of administrative staff. Chatbots and virtual assistants take over answering common patient questions and managing appointment bookings, reducing the need for human interaction in these areas.
• Documentation specialists: AI-powered speech recognition and text processing systems can automate the documentation of patient records by transcribing spoken doctor-patient interactions in real time. This reduces the need for human documentation specialists while increasing the efficiency and accuracy of patient record management.
• Medical coders and billing specialists: AI systems can code medical treatments quickly and accurately, automating some or all of the billing process. This reduces the need for manual coding and billing, which could potentially threaten these professions. These systems minimize errors and speed up the process, resulting in more efficient management of healthcare data.
• Telemedicine support: In telemedicine, AI systems can perform basic diagnostic tasks, such as collecting and analyzing patient data. This reduces the need for human telemedicine support staff responsible for collecting and pre-analyzing data.

I do not consider medical professions to be at risk. Medical specialists, such as radiologists, will still be needed to critically review the results generated by AI and make informed medical decisions. AI can support their work, but not completely replace it. The challenge is to ensure that medical staff understand and use the new technologies effectively to provide the best possible patient care.

What new professions have already emerged as a result of AI in healthcare, and what other job profiles can be expected in the future?

Dr. med. Michael Ullmann: The use of AI in healthcare has already led to the emergence of several new professions that require specialized knowledge in data science, informatics and healthcare. These professions are necessary to effectively utilize the new technologies and improve healthcare.

Below are some examples of professions that have already emerged:

• Data scientists in the healthcare sector play a central role in the analysis and interpretation of large volumes of medical data. These professionals develop predictive models and algorithms that support doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. They work closely with clinical teams to develop data-based solutions for specific medical issues to improve decision-making.
• Machine Learning Engineers specialize in designing and implementing machine learning models that solve specific healthcare problems. Their tasks include programming and training algorithms, integrating these models into existing healthcare systems and continuously optimizing their performance.
• Bioinformaticians use software tools to analyze biomedical data, especially in the field of genomics and proteomics. They work on identifying genetic markers for diseases and developing personalized medicine approaches based on genetic information.
• Health informatics specialists manage and analyze health data and develop information systems that support clinical decision making. They are often responsible for integrating AI systems into electronic patient records to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data management.
• One profession that will grow in importance in the future is that of the AI ethicist. These professionals assess the ethical implications of using AI in healthcare and develop guidelines and standards to ensure that AI systems are used fairly, transparently and ethically.
• AI trainers will also play an important role in the future. They will be responsible for training AI models, collecting and annotating training data and monitoring the performance of the models. Through continuous adjustments, they ensure that the accuracy and efficiency of the AI systems are constantly improved.
• Computer vision engineers specialize in the development of algorithms for image and video analysis. In the healthcare sector, they work on systems for analyzing medical image data such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans, which increases diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
• Another important future profession is that of Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer. These professionals develop systems for processing and analyzing natural language, including tools for automated documentation, analyzing patient reports and developing chatbots for patient service.
• Robotics Engineers will also be increasingly in demand. They develop and implement robotic systems for surgical procedures, rehabilitation and patient support technologies. These systems combine mechanical and AI technologies to enable precise and efficient medical procedures.
• Finally, AI safety consultants will gain in importance. These specialists will focus on the safety of AI systems in healthcare, analyze potential safety risks and develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure that AI applications are used safely and reliably.

These new and future job profiles illustrate how healthcare is changing through the integration of AI technologies. They require specialized knowledge and skills that encompass both technical and clinical understanding. Educational institutions and healthcare companies must therefore invest in the education and training of their employees in order to successfully shape this change and take full advantage of the benefits of AI.

Will healthcare companies need a CAIO (Chief AI Officer) in the future?

Dr. med. Michael Ullmann: Definitely yes. In my view, it is becoming increasingly important that healthcare companies also have a CAIO (Chief AI Officer). A CAIO can lead the development and implementation of AI strategies, ensure that ethical standards are adhered to and act as an interface between the technical and clinical teams. This is particularly important to optimize the integration of AI technologies and ensure that these technologies are used in a patient-centric way.

What do educational institutions and healthcare companies need to do in the future to enable careers in the field of AI?

Dr. med. Michael Ullmann: Educational institutions need to expand their curricula to integrate knowledge in data science, AI and health informatics. Offerings could include specialized degree programs, certificate programs and hands-on training. The HNU, for example, already offers a Master's degree in Digital Healthcare Management or the practice-oriented, part-time online training programme "Digitalization and AI in Healthcare".

In general, healthcare companies should invest in the continuous professional development of their employees and enter into partnerships with universities and research institutions. This could take the form of internships, joint research projects and continuing education programs.

Educational institutions and healthcare companies should also promote interdisciplinary approaches to ensure that professionals have both technical knowledge and clinical understanding. This can be achieved through joint workshops, seminars and training programs.

Overall, cooperation and continuous education are crucial to ensure that the future generation of healthcare professionals have the skills and knowledge to use AI effectively. Especially in view of the rapid development in the field of AI, continuous training with corresponding updated offerings is crucial to keep pace here.

Thank you very much for the interview! 

The content and statements presented in the interviews reflect the perspective of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the position of the editorial team.