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
and
Hrishikesh Deshpande, PhD
Hamburg, Germany
Abstract
The healthcare industry is transforming, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerging as a powerful tool for revolutionizing patient care, medical research, and administrative efficiency. However, successfully implementing AI projects in this highly regulated and complex environment requires a unique blend of expertise. Enter the project manager (PM) and the Project Management Office (PMO) – two crucial roles that are the backbone for ensuring the successful integration of AI in healthcare. This article, the first of two parts, delves into the critical roles PMs and PMOs play in navigating the complexities of AI-enabled healthcare projects. With input from 22 experts, we have investigated specific challenges PMs and PMOs face, the skillsets they need, and the strategies they could employ to ensure the successful development, deployment, and continuous improvement of AI solutions within the healthcare landscape.
Experts:
Ananth HV, Aparajita Banerjee, Asiya Sheikh, Balakumar Chinnaiyan, Chen Qian (Samsung NeuroLogica, USA), Dashrath Alluri, Joana Seringa (NOVA National School of Public Health, Portugal), Kalicharan Mahasivabhattu, Moragh Boyle (iCAIRD, UK), Naresh Jindam, Srinidhi GS, Sucheendra Kumar (SBX Corporation, Japan), Sudarshan Rao, Sumanth Raman (Algorithm Health Ltd., India), Sunanda Gundavajhala (DispatchTrack, India), Sunil Lakdawala (A3 Remote Monitoring Technologies Ltd., India), Tega Brian, Utsab Banerjee
Additional experts participated in the study anonymously.
1. Introduction and study design
The study was conducted by collecting the responses of experts via Google Forms, which had pre-defined questions tailored to the study’s objectives. The questions encompassed various technical and project management topics and were organized into three distinct domains: Generic, PM, and PMO.
Based on the 22 responses we obtained, the article is organized into two parts for clarity and organization. This first article focuses on the foundational elements ensuring the success of AI projects in healthcare: The role of AI in project management, perceived benefits and challenges, skillset of successful project managers, etc. The second article, to be published in August 2024, will encompass the crucial considerations around project management approaches and PMOs.
Figure 1: Project Management and PMO experience of the respondents
Figure 1 illustrates the project management and PMO experience of the respondents. The participants in this study bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights from their experience in project management and PMO roles. They exhibit diverse expertise from various industries and regions worldwide, including the USA, UK, Germany, Portugal, UAE, India, and Japan. Their backgrounds span multiple sectors, including healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals, and research. This diverse group of professionals provides a robust foundation for understanding the intricacies and challenges of AI in healthcare project management.
More…
To read entire article, click here
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 and her co-author this month in their author profiles 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. and Deshpande, H. (2024). Role of Project Managers and PMOs in AI for Healthcare (Part 1): Practical Insights and Diverse Perspectives on AI in Healthcare Project Management, series article, PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue VII, July. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pmwj143-Jul2024-Bhide-Deshpande-Role-of-Project-Managers-and-PMOs-in-AI-for-Healthcare.pdf
About the Authors
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/
Hrishikesh Deshpande
Hamburg, Germany
Hrishikesh Deshpande, PhD is an AI Professional and Agile Project Leader with a 14-year career trajectory in leading the research and development of AI-driven innovations. His interests include machine learning, computer vision, and medical image processing. He is passionate about building AI solutions that can significantly impact human lives.
Hrishikesh holds a master’s degree from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and a Ph.D. from INRIA Rennes France. His work at A3 Remote Monitoring Technologies Mumbai led to the development of a tele-cardiology product, enabling diagnosis for patients in remote areas and saving hundreds of lives. At Philips Research Hamburg, his technological contributions and team leadership resulted in several successful software transfers for product integration. He is a co-inventor of over 30 patents and has authored 10 scientific publications in renowned medical imaging journals and conferences.
Hrishikesh actively volunteers in the scientific community, serving as a scientific reviewer for international conferences and holding esteemed positions as a session chair and mentor. After earning his PMP certification in March 2024, Hrishikesh contributes to the PMI Germany Chapter by leading a Community of Practice for Project Management in Life Sciences and helping professionals with PMP preparation through a study group. Hrishikesh regularly shares insights on AI and project management on LinkedIn and can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshpandehn/
