AI in Healthcare: Transformative Implications for Pharmacist

Exploring the developments in AI adoption, its potential benefits in reducing burnout, the challenges associated with its implementation, and the implications for pharmacists. | Technology Corner

by Brent I. Fox, Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be a hot topic in the healthcare landscape, with significant implications for health professionals, including pharmacists. Recent reports highlight the increasing adoption of AI among physicians, its potential benefits in reducing burnout, and the challenges associated with its implementation. In this issue, we explore these developments and their implications for pharmacists, paying particular attention to the substantial growth in AI usage, physician sentiment toward AI, notable applications of AI, and the challenges and opportunities associated with AI.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently reported a dramatic increase in AI adoption among physicians. In 2023, only 38% of physicians reported using AI, but by 2024, this number had surged to 66%. This substantial growth indicates a growing recognition of AI‘s potential to enhance healthcare delivery. Physicians are increasingly leveraging AI for various tasks, including documentation, billing, and assistive diagnosis. For pharmacists, this trend underscores the importance of staying informed about AI developments and considering how these technologies can be integrated into their practice to improve efficiency and patient care. Of note, the AMA refers to AI as augmented intelligence, to reflect its role as being supportive in nature.

Read On To:

• Explore AI's Impact on Healthcare Professionals: Learn how AI is influencing physician sentiment, potentially reducing burnout, and the implications for pharmacists.

• Delve into Real-World AI Applications: From document translation to advanced diagnostics, see the tangible ways AI is being implemented in healthcare.

• Understand How to Navigate the Challenges and Opportunities of AI: Understand the crucial considerations, including cost, regulation, and the ongoing need for human oversight in the age of AI.