In this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Dr. Aram Alexanian, a family medicine physician with over 23 years of experience at Novant Health in North Carolina. Dr. Alexanian discusses the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, the opportunities it presents and the challenges it brings to medical practice leaders. He also provides key insights into how AI is currently being used in healthcare, how it impacts the physician-patient relationship and what the future holds for this rapidly advancing technology.
AI's Role in Healthcare Today
AI is increasingly integrated into healthcare, helping with such tasks as diagnostics, predictive analytics and administrative work. In Dr. Alexanian’s practice, AI tools like ambient listening and clinical decision support systems assist with differential diagnoses and provide real-time insights to streamline decision-making.
Dr. Alexanian emphasizes the importance of using AI responsibly: "Technology is a funny little thing... we have to take care of it and use it very carefully and responsibly.” While AI can improve efficiency, he stressed that the goal is to enhance care while maintaining a balance between technology and human connection.
Provider Wellness and AI Integration
Dr. Alexanian highlights the positive impact AI can have on provider wellness, particularly by reducing administrative burdens. He noted that ambient AI technologies, such as DAX Copilot, help clinicians by transcribing conversations and streamlining documentation processes. This allows providers to spend more time with their patients and less time on paperwork, which has long been a source of frustration and burnout in the medical field.
However, while AI can enhance healthcare delivery, Dr. Alexanian stresses the importance of using it wisely. “I want the technology to enhance the humanity in the room, not detract from it or replace it,” he says, emphasizing that technology must be thoughtfully integrated to support the provider-patient relationship.
Challenges and Risks of AI Implementation
While AI offers many advantages, Dr. Alexanian also discusses the potential risks that come with its widespread adoption in healthcare. One of the main concerns is the loss of critical thinking skills if providers become too reliant on AI for decision-making. He drew a parallel between AI and the use of GPS, noting how people often become dependent on navigation systems and lose the ability to find their way without them. “We’ve all used our GPS long enough that we wonder, ‘How do I get home from here again?’” he says, emphasizing that critical thinking should remain central to clinical care.
Another potential issue Dr. Alexanian highlights was the risk of miscommunication between AI and patients, especially when the technology provides incorrect information. “What if I’m using some sort of an automated AI response that tells a patient something completely off base?” he asks. If AI is not carefully monitored, it could damage patients' trust in their healthcare providers.
Balancing AI and the Human Element
Despite the rapid advancements in AI technology, Dr. Alexanian believes that maintaining the human element in healthcare is essential. “The doctor-patient relationship is therapeutic and should not be replaced by technology,” he states. While AI can assist physicians in making more accurate diagnoses or predicting potential health issues, it cannot replace the human connection that patients expect from their providers. He stressed that technology should be used to complement, not replace, human interaction in healthcare settings.
The Future of AI in Healthcare
When asked about the future of AI in healthcare, Dr. Alexanian expresses optimism about the potential advancements that could improve patient care. “The advancement of radiomics and genomics is just fascinating to me,” he says. He envisions AI playing a larger role in areas such as predictive analytics, remote patient monitoring and genomics, which could help physicians become more proactive in managing patient health.
Looking further ahead, Dr. Alexanian suggests that AI could assist physicians in diagnosing rare or complex conditions by identifying patterns and connections across a larger data set. “I think we’re going to see continued evolution on how patients engage with us, and they deserve that,” he says, emphasizing that AI should be used to improve patient care while maintaining the human touch.
Advice for Medical Practice Leaders
Dr. Alexanian encourages healthcare leaders to embrace AI while also remaining involved in its implementation. “You can’t change the wind, but you can certainly change your sails,” he advises, urging physicians to adapt to the changing landscape of healthcare technology while staying engaged in the decision-making process. He also highlights the importance of collaboration between technology companies and healthcare providers, encouraging developers to create tools that truly solve problems in the clinical setting. “Let’s think about using technology to empower humanity and not supplant it,” he concludes.
Resources:
- DAX Copilot and Ambient Listening: Learn more about these AI-powered tools that enhance provider wellness - Read here
- Novant Health: Discover more about the work Dr. Alexanian and his team are doing at Novant Health by visiting their website - Click here
MGMA Resources:
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