Opinion: For healthcare AI to be all that it can be, ‘the user’s needs must come first’
AI will only succeed in healthcare to the extent that it wins over all three stakeholder subpopulations—providers, payers and patients.
An industry expert in AI and consumer engagement fleshes out some particulars of this perspective in guest commentary posted Nov. 23 in Information Week.
“AI solution development should begin with an observational understanding of human needs,” writes Keith Roberts, a Change Healthcare VP whose previous employers have included UnitedHealth Group and RedBrick Health. “Blending the power of AI with the goal of increasing patient and user adoption, based on understanding patient and user needs, will help foster trust between AI-powered solutions and the U.S. healthcare system.”
Roberts makes the related point that healthcare AI has its best odds for success when it enters a corporate culture that was already open to innovation.
“There are far too many examples of high-performing AI solutions where acceptance or uptake wasn’t taken into consideration,” he comments. “Too many of these projects did not achieve a return that warranted investment.”
The key, he maintains, is knowing where to start.
“Too often, when it comes to the immense power of AI and machine learning, we jump to solutions, and sometimes in that haste, we overlook the user,” he writes. “The user’s needs must come first.”
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.