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Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
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January 9, 2024
This executive summary is based on the article “Overhyped? Digital Health Executive Anti-Predictions For Healthcare In 2024”, originally published by Forbes and written by Seth Joseph on December 14, 2023.
What is the message?
Healthcare executives predict that challenges stemming from EHR-dependent data ecosystems, limitations of generative AI, and financial constraints will persist in 2024.
The anti-predictions highlight skepticism surrounding the transformative impact of technologies like AI and virtual reality on healthcare affordability.
ONE PAGE SUMMARY
What are the key points?
EHR-dependent Data Ecosystems:
Executives emphasize the persistent challenges associated with healthcare’s reliance on EHR-generated data, urging caution in addressing bias and promoting health equity in the industry.
Generative AI Skepticism:
There is skepticism about the near-term impact of generative AI, with concerns about bias and the overhyped nature of generalized AI models. Executives stress the need for careful development to avoid perpetuating bias in clinical data.
Financial Headwinds:
The healthcare industry will continue facing financial challenges and operational complexity, reshaping vendor approaches to selling and forcing buyers to redefine value creation.
What are the key statistics?
AI Investment Pace: The integration of AI into health systems is expected to progress at a measured, cautious pace rather than a dramatic surge.
Health IT Purchasing Complexity: The intricate nature of healthcare IT buying decisions will persist in 2024, involving multiple stakeholders and proving challenging for vendors to navigate.
Physician Influence: Physicians will continue to exert significant influence in healthcare, extending beyond clinical issues to impact decisions about digital tools and the overall business of healthcare.
What are the key examples?
Affordability Collaboration: Doug Hirsch of GoodRx dismisses the idea that AI or virtual reality can make healthcare more affordable. Instead, he emphasizes the impact of collaborations and scalable technologies on reducing healthcare costs.
Guarding Against Bias: Deborah Kilpatrick of Evidation advises generative AI developers to remain vigilant in safeguarding against bias, particularly in the industry’s system-generated data ecosystem built on EHRs.
AI’s Practical Limitations: Several executives debunk overhyped notions, such as AI-enabled care pods becoming a major healthcare access point and the potential replacement of doctors by bots due to budget constraints, macroeconomics, and consumer behavior.
Conclusion
In 2024, healthcare executives foresee the continuation of challenges in EHR-dependent data ecosystems, skepticism around generative AI, and enduring financial complexities.
The focus shifts towards collaborations, scalable technologies, and responsible AI development to address healthcare affordability and promote equitable solutions.
The industry anticipates a measured pace of AI integration and emphasizes the ongoing influence of physicians in shaping the future of healthcare.
To read the original publication, click here.
