Panelists:
- Tressa Springmann, SVP, Chief Information & Digital Officer at LifeBridge Health
- Tom Lawry, Leading Healthcare AI Transformation Advisor; Best-Selling Author
- Roger Jansen, Chief Strategic Growth Officer, Michigan State University Health Care
Moderated by Adam Cherrington, Vice President of Digital Health at KLAS Research.
Panel Highlights
Navigating Healthcare Challenges: AI's Transformative Role
The panel kicked off by acknowledging the significant challenges facing healthcare, such as staffing shortages, financial margins, safety concerns, and data security. Tom Lawry highlighted the positive impact of predictive AI on healthcare, particularly in automating administrative tasks, allowing doctors and nurses more time with patients. Tressa Springmann emphasized the importance of aligning promising innovations with a clear return on investment due to financial constraints in the industry. Roger Jansen discussed the successful utilization of AI in remote patient monitoring, providing valuable insights into patient care outside of the clinical setting.
Tressa Springmann shared a success story of implementing touchless check-in processes, which streamlined patient experience, resulting in cost savings and improved data collection. Roger Jansen emphasized the potential of AI in driving value-based care models, enabling healthcare providers to focus on what truly matters in terms of patient outcomes.
Short, Medium, and Long-Term Vision for Healthcare:
The Future of Patient Records: Data Accessibility and Proprietary Interests
Tressa Springmann expressed a strong belief in shifting the control of patient records from health systems to the consumers, allowing individuals to choose who has access to their health information.
The panelists highlighted the challenge of data accessibility in healthcare. They emphasized that the main obstacle is not technological limitations, but rather the proprietary interests of healthcare organizations and vendors. The discussion revolved around the potential for more fluid data sharing and the need to break down barriers to enable innovation.
Patient-Centric Care and Self-Scheduling
The importance of patient-centric care was emphasized, with a specific focus on the ability for patients to schedule their own appointments. The panelists acknowledged the challenges of availability and shortages in healthcare, but emphasized that technology exists to support patient self-scheduling. They also highlighted the need for leadership and guidance in implementing these solutions.
The panelists discussed the prevailing focus on market share in healthcare organizations, sometimes at the expense of considering patient preferences. They pointed out that in many cases, patients have limited choices due to factors like certificate of need regulations, which can limit competition. This centralized approach can lead to increased prices and decreased satisfaction and quality of care.
Hybrid Model for Healthcare Delivery:
The panelists highlighted the importance of a hybrid model in healthcare delivery. While digital tools and telehealth are valuable, there are certain aspects of healthcare that still require in-person interactions and examinations. They emphasized the need to strike a balance and not solely rely on digital solutions for all healthcare needs.
Governance in AI and Data Usage:
The Challenge of Education and Upskilling:
Trends in Healthcare for 2024: Embracing AI as a Superpower
The panelists discussed upcoming trends in healthcare for 2024. They emphasized the importance of focusing on the integrity of data, making it more consumer-friendly, and avoiding the proliferation of point solutions. Additionally, they highlighted the need for leaders to become change experts, capable of driving transformation within their organizations.
The panelists concluded by encouraging healthcare professionals to embrace AI as a tool to empower both clinicians and consumers. They emphasized that resistance to AI is futile, as it is an inevitable part of the future of healthcare. Instead, they advocated for leaning into AI adoption and finding ways to use it as a superpower to enhance the quality and efficiency of care.
