AI in Healthcare 2020 Leadership Survey Report: Improving care is AI’s greatest benefit

Improving accuracy, efficiency and workflow are the top benefits leaders see with AI. Next are enhancing the precision of therapy/treatment, identifying deterioration of patient condition, reducing physician burnout, expanding access to care and cost containment.

Respondents see the greatest promise for AI in cancer, heart disease and stroke. The list continues to closely mimic U.S. statistics on chronic disease: neurological diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and infectious diseases. They also see benefits coming in obesity, asthma and alcohol-related diseases.  

Radiology leads the charge in putting clinical AI apps in place and planning for over the next 18 months, with the focus on diagnosis, detection, screening, scheduling and research. Breast imaging, chest radiography, cardiovascular imaging, neuroradiology and cardiothoracic radiography the top 5 apps. 

Some 58% of respondents are using AI applications in clinical practice. Of the sites deploying AI, 89%  are taking the path of slow and sure, utilizing between one and 10 applications. Some 9% are using 11-50 apps, with 2% of hyperachievers using more than 50.  

Health systems are following the money—with the No. 1 business AI app investments coming in scheduling and staffing. It is revenue that rules with business AI apps, with respondents planning to gain insight in coding and reimbursement, scheduling, revenue cycle, billing and staffing over the next 18 months.

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Mary C. Tierney, MS, Vice President & Chief Content Officer, TriMed Media Group

Mary joined TriMed Media in 2003. She was the founding editor and editorial director of Health Imaging, Cardiovascular Business, Molecular Imaging Insight and CMIO, now known as Clinical Innovation + Technology. Prior to TriMed, Mary was the editorial director of HealthTech Publishing Company, where she had worked since 1991. While there, she oversaw four magazines and related online media, and piloted the launch of two magazines and websites. Mary holds a master’s in journalism from Syracuse University. She lives in East Greenwich, R.I., and when not working, she is usually running around after her family, taking photos or cooking.