Over the past few weeks, Yext has hosted an AI webinar series and interviewed two healthcare leaders, John Davey, Mount Sinai and Chris Pace, Banner Health to discuss what AI means for them and their organizations.
The discussions centered on just how much AI is already being used in healthcare and research — as well as the fact that there are indeed certain threats to healthcare with AI's advancements.
The good news: Generative AI(that can take data points and create content), conversational AI (like ChatGPT and Google's Bard), and others present opportunities for the healthcare industry to do more with less: to do more data analysis, write more content, and drive greater educational opportunities.
Let's dive into the top 5 takeaways from these discussions.
This technology is here to stay - so work with AI, not against it. Testing, learning, and optimizing is going to be as important as anything to make sure you can understand how to use AI — its benefits as well as its limitations.
AI + Human is the perfect equation. AI isn't useful in a vacuum. Human intervention (at least for now) is needed to ensure that we are validating what the models are generating for us and also making sense of the conversations, too. If you tell a generative model to create a physician bio in a friendly, but professional tone, and include certain data points (e.g., board certifications and specialties), it's important to make sure you are reviewing the output. The models aren't always perfect.
Patient and consumer safety should be a consideration, not a limitation. Healthcare organizations are forever concerned with data safety, privacy, and HIPAA. AI may cross certain boundaries that could potentially threaten data privacy and safety – if the right protections aren't put in place. It's important to know the technology and how you are using it — and whether you are touching patient data, so that you will know how to have the right conversations with your legal counsel when necessary. Don't let the argument about patient data and safety stop you from leveraging the technology.
Communication with leadership is very important. Chances are, if you're reading this article, you know more about AI than your leadership. As you test and learn how AI can change your workflows, drive efficiencies, and change consumer behaviors, you'll need to bring your leadership along in your learning journey through education and communication. Don't forget that as you learn, you may be leaving people behind — and in order for you to get the support you need, it's important to communicate what you are doing, how well it's going, and what you need.
Content generation is your friend. One of the most powerful use cases of new technology is content generation. From writing content about conditions, procedures, and treatments to generating physician bios, this tech enables you to scale your content strategy without sacrificing quality or placing the burden on your already overworked staff. Further, a robust content strategy ultimately benefits your patients. They can find the right doctor for them and learn about their condition or treatment options ‚— giving them the information they need to make an informed decision about their care.
Don't let this tech pass you by. Embrace this technology to alleviate the burden on your staff while simultaneously creating a better experience for your patients. Not sure how to get started?
Learn more about Yext's solutions for healthcare.
