AI healthcare map will create opportunities for collaboration

“The map will create opportunities for collaboration and exchange of experience between regions, researchers and companies that develop knowledge and new innovations for healthcare”, says Jens Nygren, Professor of Health Innovation at Halmstad University.

The Healthcare Map is based on self-reported data from Sweden’s self-governing regions. In total, 17 out of 21 regions reported on their use of AI between June and December last year, resulting in a collection of 179 initiatives. The compilation was carried out in collaboration with researchers at Halmstad University.

The results reveal clear trends in how the application of AI has begun in healthcare, and highlight areas that are less developed. In summary, AI in Swedish healthcare is currently used mainly for administrative purposes and to support diagnosis and risk assessment, especially in data-driven specialities such as radiology and pathology. However, application in primary care, psychiatry and preventive care is limited, even though these areas have significant potential to benefit from AI in improving early detection, prioritisation and care planning, according to AI Sweden’s report.

Adminstration and implementation

“The high proportion of AI initiatives in administration suggests that many efforts are being implemented to streamline the healthcare system rather than using AI technology to drive direct clinical improvements. It is worth noting the lack of reported initiatives in the area of public health, despite the considerable potential of using AI for targeted preventive and population-oriented interventions to reduce the need for care and the incidence of chronic diseases”, says Jens Nygren.

The distribution of AI initiatives would likely look different if the survey had included research initiatives in academia.

“It is common for innovative AI projects in clinical areas to begin as research projects at universities. These initiatives are unlikely to be captured in a mapping exercise that focuses on region-led activities.”

Collaboration

Jens Nygren states that the AI healthcare map provides a valuable overview of how AI is used in Swedish healthcare today and that it hopefully can contribute to increased collaboration between regions, academia and industry.

“It could also play an important role in informing and guiding public authorities and politicians about ongoing initiatives, identifying areas in need of attention and ultimately creating better conditions for a strategic and needs-driven development of AI in healthcare”, says Jens Nygren.

The survey is not intended to be a static description of the current situation, but a dynamic resource that can be updated as new AI initiatives are added and developments take place. The mapping was carried out as part of the work with the Vinnova-funded innovation environment Information-driven care, in which Halmstad University is a partner.

Text: Kristina Rörström

Photo: From the report cover