Organizational readiness, applicable regulations and user understanding are just some of the factors influencing the successful implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare systems.
While HIMSS24 APAC panel session “AI Horizons: Exploring the Future of Innovations”, Professor In-Juvenile Choi, Deputy Director of IT at Catholic Medical Center (CMC), Dr. Shankar Sridharan, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Dr. Ngai Tseung Cheung, Head of Information Technology and Health Informatics at the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong (HAHK) shared the results, conclusions and predictions regarding the implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The panel was moderated by Professor Kee Yuan Ngiam, Head of the AI Office at the National University Health System.
The realities of AI implementation
Artificial intelligence in healthcare is touted as a comprehensive solution for digital needs, but Dr. Cheung disagrees.
“Artificial intelligence is an amazing technology and sometimes it seems magical, but in reality it is not. “Artificial intelligence is a tool no different than any other technology we can employ.”
He shared questions to consider when applying AI: “How can AI be incorporated into workflows at scale so that it can deliver positive outcomes? What is the impact [of AI on the organisation]? How does this affect users? Does the result produce something that can be applied?”
Dr Shankar from Great Ormond Street Hospital shared these initial perspectives. “Healing resource [for implementing AI] it’s an enthusiasm that can be quite contagious. But we need to address its purpose… When we assess safety, security and technology benefits, is there a clinical, operational or patient experience benefit?
Professor Choi, however, had a different opinion, given the stringent regulatory environment she works with.
“We have no government control over EMR contracts. Each hospital has its own [exclusive] data. Sharing data with other hospitals is not uncomplicated, and it is not uncomplicated for AI companies to gain access to hospital data. If [AI] the algorithm uses cloud computing, it will be outside Korea, and the law does not allow our medical data to reach other countries,” she explained.
Overcoming adoption barriers
Due to its multi-layered nature, implementing AI tools may require additional certainty. Dr. Cheung shared HAHK’s proactive approach in conducting internal validations of AI tools.
And Dr. Shankar ensured data security through proven partnerships. “We have a trusted research arm and commercial relationships with pharmaceutical companies and industry that provide an airlock [data]. We then inform our CEO that our data is safe and secure [AI] The tool is useful and valuable without data loss due to risk.”
Dr. Cheung also noted that regular demonstrations can alleviate the level of pessimism among medical staff. “It’s good that we have 43 hospitals. If (the AI test) fails, it’s OK. Then we can show that we tried… If we can show them that it works and they are undecided [staff and doctors] switch [to optimism]this will be good… We need to show them that artificial intelligence is okay [for use]”
Harnessing the future potential of artificial intelligence
Despite implementation barriers, CMC has plans to develop software that could support pathologists treat lung cancer.
“One patient can have multiple subtypes of cancer. For example, one patient may have a 20% capillary subtype. People can’t count it [figure]but artificial intelligence can. It can support doctors provide better treatment to patients,” Professor Choi explained.
“For now, we are focusing on one specific disease. But when generative AI emerges, maybe AI will be able to see [relevant health] details in a more comprehensive way.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Cheung questioned the impact of future artificial intelligence on humans.
“Today’s artificial intelligence is not conscious. It is not at the level of a human being. However, there is a concept of artificial general intelligence that is touted as superhuman. If so, [technology] is superior to humans in every way, there will be a huge change in medicine and humanity.”
Dr. Shankar believes that there is still a long way to go before artificial intelligence can be realized to its full potential. “We’re a bit like cavemen[withAI’Ourlimitationsareourownsareourusecases”[zsztucznąinteligencją”Naszeograniczeniasąnaszewłasnepodobniejakprzypadkiużycia”[withAI’Ourlimitationsareourownasareourusecases”