It’s no secret that even the most competent healthcare system can become strained under increasing demands — and healthcare systems globally have been so for some time. During the recent unprecedented weather conditions in the UAE, Emirates Health Services had to handle 12,795 communications - comprising 11,125 calls, 1,120 chats through their website, and 550 emails — over the course of a few days.
Healthcare workers have long felt escalating pressures to provide prompt and accurate care to the most vulnerable populations. Stress, exhaustion, burnout, and anxiety were the most often reported mental health impacts among health and care workers globally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UAE University research, medical students in the UAE are becoming more susceptible to burnout; 77 per cent of participants in the study screened positively for burnout.
The healthcare workforce is also dwindling, with the World Economic Forum’s projections suggesting a deficit of approximately 10 million healthcare workers worldwide by 2030. Likewise, with healthcare being an essential part of the “We the UAE 2031” vision, the UAE may require over 33,000 nurses and allied health professionals by 2030.
Amid these challenges, artificial intelligence (AI) presents a burgeoning opportunity. Recognised as a pivotal industrial revolution, AI is poised to inject Dh335 billion into the UAE’s economy by 2030.
In everyday life, generative AI tools like ChatGPT have already provided immediate answers to millions in personal and professional realms.
In healthcare, AI's impact stands to be profound, enhancing disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Scientists have found that artificial intelligence-supported breast screening detected — 20 per cent more cancers compared with the double reading of mammograms by two radiologists and matching patients with optimal antidepressants by analysing brain activity data.
Addressing staff shortages will require time, policy revisions, and intensive training. However, the sector can’t afford to wait for those resolutions. It’s critical to evaluate the areas AI can lighten daily duties for medical professionals to enhance patient care efficiency.
For example, integrating AI into healthcare operations offers real-time access to essential patient information, streamlines administrative tasks, and improves care delivery before, during and after patient visits. Tools like chatbots powered by intelligent generative AI can handle routine inquiries, allowing patients to obtain appointment details and hospital information independently, leaving nurses to more pressing matters.
Furthermore, AI can enhance personalisation in healthcare by integrating with clinical decision-support systems and existing medical records, providing tailored responses based on a patient's history — without the need to extensively question the patient enquiring.
Make no mistake, humans always come first — and when AI reaches its limits, it can seamlessly transfer tasks to appropriate staff, using patient data and natural language processing to ensure efficient service delivery.
While AI is not a substitute for professional healthcare, its role as a support tool is invaluable, helping to manage front desk operations and elevate patient experiences. It creates avenues to allow the healthcare system to offset the impact of day-to-day resourcing challenges, boost efficiencies in patient handling, and safeguard the well-being of the UAE’s patients.
Assaad Yazbeck is the Account Director at Avaya.
