A Transformative Approach
Future of Healthcare and Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Practical Insights and Diverse Perspectives on AI
in Healthcare Project Management
SERIES ARTICLE
By Dr. Deepa Bhide, MBBS, DCH, PMP
Hyderabad, India
INTRODUCTION
Including the social dimension of healthcare in any new or emerging technology is a part of a globalized, interconnected reality that defines the world. This is important to promote approaches to health equity, diversity, and security. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public health is a part of this global necessity.
Several unique features distinguish public health from traditional healthcare approaches focused on individual patients. For example, a population-based focus, prevention over treatment, focus on equity with dismantling systemic factors that contribute to health disparities, collaboration across diverse sectors, and focus on health promotion and regulations are a few. Understanding these unique factors is critical to understanding how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can prove to be beneficial to this sector. The ever-growing mountains of healthcare data and the increasing complexity of public health challenges demand a revolutionary approach. AI is emerging as a powerful tool for healthcare project managers (PMs) in the public health sector, offering the potential to streamline workflows, optimize resource allocation, and, ultimately, improve population health outcomes. AI was integral to forecasting COVID-19 spread, contact tracing, pharmacovigilance, rapid testing, and detection, and increased the effectiveness, precision, and scalability of public health treatments.
This article delves into the transformative role of AI in healthcare PM for public health, exploring how AI empowers PMs to tackle contemporary challenges and build a more data-driven future for public health initiatives.
Public Health Experts – The Transformists!
Excerpts of interviews with the following experts:
Dr. Nikesh. R. Shah, CEO, National Cancer Grid-Koita Center for Digital Oncology (NCG-KCDO)
Rudi de Koker, Project Management Professional and Public Health Specialist
Dr Dattatraya Patil, Sr. Biostatistician at Emory University School of Medicine, USA
A few public health experts interviewed wished to contribute anonymously.
The Interviews
Q 1: Do you use AI in any form in your current work area? If yes, how do you currently utilize AI in your day-to-day work? If not, where would you like to start using AI in your work?
“While AI hasn’t been directly implemented in my projects, we currently utilize automated decision-making algorithms for enhanced efficiency. Although not labeled as traditional AI, these algorithms analyze data, identify patterns, and provide informed recommendations. Looking ahead, exploring advanced AI applications like predictive analytics and machine learning is on the horizon, offering opportunities for innovation and process optimization in our work,” Rudi mentioned.
“Machine learning and advanced analytics have been in our applications for years. We have used pattern recognition and analysis to predict the onset of epidemics, disease surveillance, risk assessment and prediction, and so on. It’s only now, with Generative AI, that this technology has been democratized and is in the news. The employment of AI increased with the advent of COVID-19 when machine learning algorithms were used mainly to predict resource requirements and assess health risks. I’d say the technology is evolving,” anonymous.
Summary: Significant advances in AI, specifically Gen AI, in these sectors are yet to be seen. AI opportunities in the form of predictive analytics or machine learning have the potential to be used in the public health sector been in use in healthcare and public health sector,
Q 2: What are the most significant opportunities and challenges for using AI in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in public health?
More…
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Editor’s note: This series is by Dr. Deepa Bhide, a practicing pediatrician with additional experience in information technology and project management. Her 2023 series of articles introduced readers to a range of important issues related to programs, projects and PM in healthcare. In this new series, Dr. Bhide will interview experienced healthcare, IT and project professionals around the world to reflect on the impact of artificial intelligence on global healthcare. Learn more about Dr. Bhide in her author profile at the end of this article. To read previous works by Dr. Bhide, visit https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/dr-deepa-bhide/
How to cite this paper: Bhide, D. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Enablement of Public Health: A Transformative Approach: Practical Insights and Diverse Perspectives on AI in Healthcare Project Management, series article, PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue V, May. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pmwj141-May2024-Bhide-AI-enablement-of-public-health.pdf
About the Author
Dr. Deepa Bhide
Hyderabad, India
Dr. Deepa Bhide, MBBS, DCH, PMP, has over 20 years of professional experience where she has blended medical practice and research with IT and Project Management. She juggles consulting, training, and operations and is proficient in clinical medicine, project management, and healthcare information technology. Starting her career as a medical practitioner, she has worked with varied organizations before her current stint as director and clinical expert for Inventurus Knowledge Solutions.
Deepa’s growing interest and work in these areas, born from her day-to-day patient interactions, helped her view Project Management as a backbone of progressive healthcare. Her paper on “Patient Care – A Project Management Perspective” has received global recognition and acclaim. With a physician background as a solid foundation to leverage IT/PM skills and knowledge, Deepa has blended her broad-based experience and learnings to present a unified, holistic, and wholesome view of Project Management and Healthcare, a cross-domain confluence. Through various webinars, events, talks, and writings across platforms, Deepa has been an evangelist in championing global project management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Gold medalist from Osmania University for standing First in the MBBS course, she pursued her DCH in Pediatrics and Child health. Deepa has served various roles in local and global Project Management Institute (PMI) regions. She remains actively engaged with PMI and has been a participant and speaker for various national and global meetings and online events.
Deepa lives in Hyderabad, India, and loves traveling, singing, and experimenting with global cuisine. She can be contacted at deepa.bhide@gmail.com.
To view other works by Dr. Bhide, visit her author showcase in the PM World Library at https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/dr-deepa-bhide/
