Newswatch: AI-eager doctors, AI-reticent buyers, AI cost worriers, more

AI physician leader

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days.

  • Nearly 95% of the world’s healthcare providers are keen on AI. More to the point, they would have no qualms about integrating the technology as long as they’re sure it would prove practice-appropriate. So found market researchers commissioned by Johnson & Johnson. The team surveyed more than 950 HCPs as well as more than 11,400 members of the general public across 11 countries. J&J also sought and received quotes from some individual physicians. A common theme to emerge from both arms of the project was the aging of the world’s population. For example, orthopedic surgeon Kevin Perry of the Mayo Clinic noted that AI and other emerging technologies “not only enhance the quality of care but also allow us to address the unique challenges that come with an aging population, such as joint replacements and more complex procedures.” Perry added that he sees “immense value” in tapping technology to help reduce burnout by allowing providers to focus on what truly matters—patient care. “By continuing to embrace robotics and the power of data and technology,” Perry says, “we can build a more sustainable healthcare system that meets the needs of both patients and providers alike.” 
     
  • Meanwhile, buyers of healthcare AI report that less than a third of their AI pilots, 30%, reach production. This finding is from Bessemer Venture Partners, which surveyed 400+ purchasers across provider, payer and pharma segments. The researchers found the major pinch points are security, data readiness, integration costs and limited in-house expertise. Commenting on the findings, Bessemer analysts advise AI startups to rethink their go-to-market strategy as they build market traction and prove results with peer healthcare organizations. “Healthcare buyers want innovation but are still risk-averse,” the analysts observe. “It’s the classic catch-22: You need social proof to sell, but you can’t get social proof until you do.”
     
  • Might healthcare AI raise costs as well as quality? One physician and AI expert worries about that. AI and other emerging technologies “don’t come free, and the more you use them, the more they cost,” says Ronald Rodriguez, MD, PhD, director of UT-San Antonio’s dual MD/MS in AI program. “All the tech entrepreneurs are relying on that [scenario]—it’s their business model.” Rodriguez made the remarks to Medical Economics, which is out with a special issue devoted to AI. In the cover feature, a handful of physicians tell how they’re using AI in day-to-day practice. The full issue is posted as an ezine here. 
     
  • In medicine’s next chapter, AI literacy will separate physician leaders from peer followers. This will be so for three reasons—time leverage, income diversification and career control. Physician blogger Peter Kim, MD, makes the case at the website he founded, Passive Income MD. “When you understand emerging technologies, you position yourself as someone who can lead innovation, not be replaced by it,” he writes in an April 21 post. “You also stay relevant, especially as patients increasingly expect more tech-savvy care.” Hear him out on this. 
     
  • Consider what AI can learn from EHRs. Two AI-savvy radiologists encourage all healthcare AI stakeholders to look back at, in particular, the Meaningful Use era. “The MU program utilized early incentives that declined over time (eventually penalties replaced incentives),” remind Drs. Richard Heller and Nina Kottler, both of 50-state, private equity-backed Radiology Partners. “Using a similar approach of front-loaded, declining incentives, an AI-focused program could help accelerate adoption and implementation, ensuring interoperability and promoting responsible use.” Given how long it’s been since Meaningful Use was a hot topic, they make a surprisingly compelling case. MedPage Today published it April 19. 
     
  • At one point, employees at Johnson & Johnson were pursuing almost 900 AI use cases. Leaders at the healthcare conglomerate waited patiently for the shakeout they knew would come due to redundancies, poor algorithmic performers and such. As the period rolled along, the company found 10% to 15% of test adoptions were driving 80% of successes. J&J’s CIO, Jim Swanson, tells the Wall Street Journal the company is now tracking progress across three measurable performance indicators—successful deployments, broad adoptions and business outcomes. “We had the right plan three years ago [with the 900 tryouts], but we matured our plan based on three years of understanding,” he says. “This is the better way to run now.”
     
  • More than 16,500 individuals in the U.K. have been waiting more than 18 months for mental healthcare. By comparison, only 2,000 are waiting for elective physical health treatments. No wonder young people are giving AI therapists a go. Some experts worry about the trend. Technology as the go-to answer for this problem “can fuel self-obsession because [the patient is] generating all the questions,” warns integrative therapist Billie Dunlevy in coverage by The Times of London. “What true psychotherapy offers is someone being in relation with you and reflecting back what they see or how they experience you.”
     
  • Meet 13 healthcare AI companies to watch the rest of this year. Listing the hotties based mainly on info from Gartner in alphabetical order, TechTarget starts with Arcadia, Amazon Web Services and Cleerly. See who the other 10 are right here. 
     
  • Recent research in the news: 
     
  • FDA approval activity:
     
  • Funding news of note:
     
  • From AIin.Healthcare’s news partners:
     

Dave Pearson
Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

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