Where technological advancements are heralded as the cornerstone of progress, I think the healthcare industry finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. A critical yet often overlooked aspect of this technological revolution is the burgeoning infatuation with novel tech solutions in healthcare. While driving innovation, this infatuation raises questions about the balance between technological advancement and the fundamental human elements of healthcare.
- We've become infatuated with novelty, almost to a fault. We glorify the new and the shiny, believing that innovation alone can solve our problems. But because our focus is so narrow, we overlook the foundational aspects of healthcare - empathy, human interaction, and personalised care.
- The healthcare tech industry has become like a glamorised tech race. Who can build the most advanced AI? Who can analyse the most data? But because we're so caught up in this race, we're missing the point. Technology should be a means to an end, not the end itself.
- The narrative around healthcare technology has been hijacked. Tech giants and startups alike are preaching about how their latest software or gadgets will 'revolutionise' healthcare. But because of this, the conversation has shifted from 'how can we help patients?' to 'how can we outdo each other?'
- There's a disconnect between what tech creators think patients need and what they actually need. An app might have a sleek interface and advanced algorithms, but it's missing the mark if it doesn't address patients' emotional and psychological needs.
- The healthcare industry is not a playground for technologists. It's a field that demands a delicate balance of science, empathy, and human understanding. Because of this, the reckless pursuit of technology without considering the human element can do more harm than good.
The industry, at its core, is deeply personal and human. The success of healthcare technology should not be measured by the sophistication of AI or the volume of data analysed but by how well it addresses the real human needs of patients and clinicians.
Nurse Manager at The Christ Hospital
10 个月AI definitely has a place in improving how patients can be seen and educated especially outpatient. There are many improvements on systems that are already in place if the users of these systems were ever consulted. The problem is the width at which the pendulum swings. Nurses are being treated like we are easy to replace. We are undervalued and under appreciated in the hospitals. I am always a proponent of new processes that will help me provide better care. The shortages of healthcare workers across all areas of the spectrum are very concerning. I worry about who will be available for my care, my children's care and my grandchildren's care. Focusing on prevention is key to healthier lifestyles and hopefully it will all balance out.
Retired Health Care Professional
11 个月I am not against advancement and technology however, this is not the right time for this type of investment. My sister is in hospital. She required an emergency operation followed by intensive care. There were no beds, poor staffing levels, many of whom were newly qualified with very little experience… mistakes were being made! Student nurses were working on the NHS Bank as support workers, however, they were being used as 3rd year students. My stister had her operation but remained in recovery for 24 hours until a bed could be found in high dependency. Keeping my sister in recovery meant that one less patient could go to Theatre. It was chaos! I know that you will argue that technology could have brought about better organisation, possibly found a bed and provided information. However, I witnessed staff running around like headless chickens. They didn’t have a spare minute to look at technology and obviously someone didn’t have time to update the bed situation. In my opinion, the money should be diverted into immediate care and treatment. I would put AI on the back burner until the healthcare crisis is over.
Well said. Technology alone cannot make it better and safer for patients and their care givers. What we need is a balanced approach to ensure cost-effectiveness of applying technology to achieve the desired treatment outcomes, both from the perspective the patients and their caregivers as well as the healthcare providers. Here, the science and art of health technology assessment needs to be further explored to enable inputs for the study of healthcare financing to assure we can continue having the best possible healthcare outcomes without having to break our piggy banks.
AI Consultant @ Joseph Pareti's AI Consulting Services | AI in CAE, HPC, Health Science
11 个月technology and AI DO make a contribution, WTF https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/joseph-pareti-b603a9a_three-takeaways-from-pfizer-at-aws-reinvent-activity-7135830350320087040-2_Y7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop