2024 Prediction from Matt Hollingsworth

We asked our readers and some members of our editorial advisory board to make predictions for 2024. Here's what Matt Hollingsworth said:

“Although the adoption of AI in healthcare is nothing new, there will continue to be a growing need for AI technology in 2024 and beyond. With an overall lack of manpower in healthcare, as seen in nursing and staff shortage trends, AI looks like the best solution for retaining existing manpower at competitive compensation rates while increasing efficiency in workflow and improving clinician job satisfaction. According to the National Library of Medicine, the key to successful AI implementation is to do it in a clinically relevant way that clinical caregivers can get behind. It's not only about the technology, it's about how technology and caregivers work together in a trusted way to believe in, train, and commit their AI solutions to provide long-term value.”

There is no one-size-fits-all AI solution for streamlining healthcare data, as each health institution has their own unique approach and associated needs. In 2024, health leaders should avoid generalized “AI platforms” with nebulous value and instead, take a more nuanced approach. Given the excessive hype around AI at the moment, health leaders should cut through the hype by selecting solutions that provide value-based/risk-bearing engagements as opposed to SaaS contracts; that will prevent health providers from bearing the risk of the technical execution. At this point, AI has reached a degree of maturity that should no longer require providers to take a bet on a technology with a multi-million dollar SaaS contract. Technology companies should put their money where their marketing is. A successful, tailored solution requires consultation with experts familiar with the intricacies of healthcare data to employ techniques such as brute force mapping to create a stable system, while adjusting the approach periodically to keep up with changes in technology and management.”