Fireside Chat – Building the Next-Generation Healthcare Workforce: Leveraging AI to Eliminate Patient Access Barriers
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries worldwide, its transformative potential in healthcare is becoming increasingly evident. A recent panel discussion featuring leading voices in healthcare innovation explored how AI is poised to revolutionize medical practice, enhance productivity, and redefine workforce development. The session featured Anil Jain, Chief Innovation Officer, Provider Digital Transformation, Innovaccer; Michael Han, Chief Medical Information Officer, Multicare Health System; and David Rubin, Executive Vice President, UC Health, University of California.
The journey from electronic health records (EHRs) to AI-powered healthcare systems marks a significant evolution in medical technology. Michael Han, who became an “accidental informaticist” during the initial EHR implementation, sees AI as fulfilling the promises made during that era. “AI is helping us achieve what we originally set out to do with EHRs,” he explains. “It’s reducing cognitive burden and increasing access to care.” This evolution is not just about technology but about fundamentally changing how healthcare is delivered and experienced by both providers and patients.
Leveraging AI to improve healthcare capacity is a key focus for the panel. David Rubin, with his background in population health management, emphasizes the importance of distributed workflows and team-based care. “We’re using AI to augment the knowledge base for extenders, potentially reducing the burden on specialty care,” he notes. This approach is crucial for managing the increasing demand, especially in ambulatory care settings. By integrating AI, healthcare systems can better allocate resources, ensuring that patients receive timely and efficient care.
At Multicare, Michael Han is implementing ambient clinical documentation to decrease documentation time and improve referral processes. “We’re using more advanced practice practitioners in team-based environments,” he says. “AI is helping us open up access and improve upstream care.” This not only enhances the efficiency of healthcare delivery but also allows practitioners to focus more on patient interaction rather than administrative tasks, thereby improving the overall patient experience.
However, as healthcare systems embrace AI, there’s a growing concern about creating a digital divide. David Rubin stresses the importance of balancing AI-enabled services with human alternatives. “We need to offer both AI-enabled scheduling and human options for patients,” he explains. This approach ensures that healthcare remains accessible to all, regardless of technological proficiency. It’s essential to ensure that the adoption of AI does not inadvertently exclude those who are less tech-savvy or who prefer more traditional methods of interaction.
Michael Han highlights Multicare’s efforts to bridge this potential gap: “Our connect program provides IT services to critical access hospitals and health centers. We’re meeting patients where they are — whether it’s through phone, text, or secure communications.” This strategy is particularly crucial for hospital-at-home initiatives and supporting aging populations. By offering multiple channels of communication, healthcare providers can ensure that all patients, regardless of their location or technological access, receive the care they need.
In population health management, AI shows promise in automating front office tasks and optimizing workflow distribution. David Rubin envisions a future where AI agents help triage and distribute work, allowing health systems to do more with less staff. However, Michael Han cautions against creating an “arms race” of AI bots between payers and providers, emphasizing the need for collaboration instead. The focus should be on using AI to complement human efforts, not replace them, ensuring that the quality of care remains high.
Preparing the healthcare workforce for the AI revolution is another critical aspect. Both panelists agree that AI education should be integrated into medical credentialing and ongoing certification. “Proficiency in EHR and AI tools is as important as other medical competencies,” Michael Han asserts. David Rubin adds, “We need to focus on responsible and ethical use of AI in clinical care, understanding its limitations and appropriate use cases.” This education is vital to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped to use AI tools effectively and ethically.
When it comes to strategic AI investment in healthcare, the speakers advocate for a grassroots, bottom-up approach. David Rubin advises, “Focus on addressing pain points and cognitive burdens of frontline staff. Make jobs easier and more rewarding at the point of care delivery.” Michael Han emphasizes the importance of balancing technology with people and processes: “Remember, you can’t automate chaos. We need good processes in place first.” This approach ensures that AI is used to enhance, rather than complicate, healthcare delivery.
The potential impact of these AI innovations is substantial. UC Health alone sees 11 million outpatient visits and 1.3 million inpatient visits annually, touching people from 91% of California’s zip codes. However, challenges remain, such as the fact that only about one-third of patients currently use patient portals like MyChart. Increasing patient engagement with these tools is crucial for maximizing the benefits of AI in healthcare.
As healthcare systems navigate this AI revolution, the focus remains on improving patient care, enhancing provider productivity, and expanding access to quality healthcare. The panel’s insights underscore the need for responsible AI adoption, ongoing workforce development, and a patient-centric approach to technological innovation. The future of healthcare is undoubtedly intertwined with AI, but success will depend on striking the right balance between cutting-edge technology and the human touch that remains at the heart of medical care. As we build the next generation of healthcare workers, AI will be a powerful tool — but one that must be wielded with wisdom, ethics, and a deep understanding of the complex healthcare landscape.Watch the video here.