Adopting AI to Improve Patient Outcomes, Cost Savings, Health Equality

December 16, 2021 - Healthcare executives are increasingly looking at artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes, support cost savings, and promote health equality.

According to the fourth annual Optum Survey on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Care, surveying 500 senior healthcare executives from leading hospitals, health plans, life sciences companies, employers, 96 percent believe AI has an important role in efforts to reach health equality goals. Additionally, 94 percent agree providers have a duty to make sure AI is used responsibly in the healthcare system.

“This year’s survey findings continue to validate how the responsible use of AI can help health systems strengthen and scale essential functions and reduce administrative burdens, all of which helps clinicians focus on their core mission of patient care,” chief executive officer, Optum Insight, the data, and analytics business within Optum, Rick Hardy, said in a press release.

“We share their enthusiasm for AI, but more importantly, we look forward to combining our health care expertise with AI to help people — patients, physicians, and those working behind the scenes — as that is where the real value is delivered.”

With the majority of survey participants responding positively to using artificial intelligence in healthcare, the survey data reflected that 85 percent of health leaders indicated they have an AI strategy, while 48 percent have begun one. The data shows an upward trend from last year regarding AI implementation. Overall, 98 percent of organizations either have a strategy or are planning one.

Around 72 percent of health leaders claimed they trust AI to support nonclinical, administrative processes that take way time clinicians could be treating patients.

Respondents also shared they are excited about the potential for AI to improve patient outcomes in several ways, including virtual patient care (41 percent), diagnosis and predicting outcomes (40 percent), and medical image interpretation (36 percent).

Additionally, healthcare leaders remain optimistic that AI technology will create work opportunities (55 percent) rather than reduce them (45 percent).

According to the survey, healthcare organizations are expected to lean heavily on strategic technology partners to successfully implement forms of artificial intelligence. Nearly 60 percent of respondents are more likely to trust healthcare-specific companies with data and analytics experience rather than technology companies working across multiple industries.

Trust is especially important for the responsible use of AI, with 89 percent of respondents preferring healthcare-focused technology companies to address the unique challenges of using AI in medical settings. In addition, Healthcare organizations having implemented AI place a higher premium than those that have not (63% to 54%) percent in their AI partners having significant experience in healthcare, looking for support in building their platform and processes and training.

Despite growing enthusiasm about the potential for AI to streamline clinical and administrative operations and functions, return on investment remains a challenge. More than 40 percent of healthcare leaders expect savings from their AI investments over the next three years, a double-digit decline from nearly 60 percent the previous year. More healthcare organizations anticipate seeing a return on investment within four to five years, increasing from 19 percent in 2020 to 31 percent. However, a similar amount (27%) does not expect these investments to yield savings within 5 years. That said, 99 percent of respondents believe savings will come.

“The responsible use of AI continues to provide important opportunities for health care leaders to streamline administrative processes and provide more effective patient care with enhanced experiences for both patients and providers,” said Steve Griffiths, senior vice president, data and analytics, Optum Labs, the research and development arm of UnitedHealth Group.

“These leaders are not just users of AI, but they have an opportunity to be looked to as role models across industries in their commitment to using AI responsibly.”