--- title: "AI in Healthcare: Balancing Trust and Promise" description: One in three consumers lack trust in AI’s ability to improve healthcare. Where the real use cases are, and how to introduce them without losing patient trust. image: https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/hubfs/site-art/v3/og/card-ai-in-healthcare-wide.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/insights/ai-in-healthcare#main) [Josh Weidenfeller](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/) Menu - [Work](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/work) - [The System](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/system) - [Creative](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/creative) - [Blog](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/insights) - [About](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/about) - [Contact](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/contact) - [Résumé (PDF)](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/hubfs/resume/Josh-Weidenfeller-Resume.pdf) [Start a conversation](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/contact) [Blog](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/insights) 4 min read # AI in Healthcare Balancing Trust and Promise On this page *Originally published in 2024, while I was at NRC Health. Edited September 2026: statistics sourced and linked, two asides removed.* *“If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?”* This age-old adage takes on new meaning when we consider the role of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. The AI revolution is just beginning, and after the initial fear of job displacement by robots, we can now discuss the potential of AI in healthcare. However, it’s crucial to approach this technology thoughtfully by understanding its capabilities and ensuring it aligns with your strategy. ## Consumer perspective: challenges and potential Industry experts have identified several areas where AI holds promise. From ambient listening tools for clinician notes to helpful chatbots on company websites, AI can benefit both patients and providers alike. But there’s a challenge: patient trust. Winning over patient loyalty can already be an uphill battle in the American healthcare system — it’s important to be cautious of consumer sentiment when rolling out AI advancements within your system or you risk alienating patients even further. NRC Health’s market research found that one in three consumers lack trust in AI’s ability to improve healthcare, and 94% have some reservations about AI in healthcare ([NRC Health Market Insights, August 2024](https://nrchealth.com/market-insights-2024-a/)). **Consumers’ top concerns about AI in healthcare include:** - Losing the human connection or time with a doctor - Inaccuracy of the technology causing errors - Impersonal treatment plans that are one-size-fits-all **On the flip side, consumers recognize important benefits:** - Faster access to medical care and information - Faster and more accurate diagnosis - Analytical at-home health monitoring devices for early intervention - Freeing up doctors to spend more time with me - Ability to predict a disease before it happens When implementing AI, consider starting with what consumers are comfortable with. Virtual care diagnosis and at-home monitoring seem like logical choices, but we must balance efficiency gains with the risk of losing the human connection – something already exacerbated by being virtual. Accuracy and follow-up by trained practitioners are essential so that an appropriate care plan can be made. In some cases, AI shouldn’t be seen as a replacement tool, but rather as an opportunity to expand access and streamline care delivery. Through quicker diagnosis and better real-time monitoring, patients can be seen at a quicker rate when they need help, decreasing the deferment of care, while also freeing up care teams’ schedules. ## Enhancing patient-doctor interactions: the role of ambient listening Another compelling use case for AI lies in ambient listening technologies within the exam room. These tools allow doctors to focus entirely on patients during visits, as the technology takes notes seamlessly throughout the visit. This is an easy win for doctors and patients alike, as patients can receive care from a doctor who is fully present and listening, while the doctor doesn’t have to worry about multitasking. By eliminating the need for manual notetaking, doctors can provide more attentive care, and patients benefit from feeling truly heard and connected with by their healthcare provider, further enhancing their experience and the personalization of care. Renown Health, the largest non-profit health system in Northern Nevada, has recently implemented an ambient listening technology, and has already seen improvements in workflow efficiency and in reducing administrative burdens. Renown Health’s Division Chief of Primary Care, Dr. Marie McCormack, goes on to share the challenges the industry faces with the lack of primary care physicians, and how ambient listening can help level the playing field. She also states that, with their physicians’ very busy schedules, ambient listening tools are a game-changer, allowing physicians to spend more time with the patient rather than taking notes (Dr. McCormack, Becker’s Hospital Review podcast, 2024). ## Predictive analytics: a game changer in healthcare Lastly, experts identified predictive analytics as one of the biggest game changers in the world of healthcare. Predictive analytics has a wide range of use cases all focused on helping health systems remain agile, and proactive instead of reactive. Its applications are vast: - **Reducing wait times:** predictive models can optimize appointment scheduling, minimizing patient wait times. - **Enhancing patient engagement:** by tailoring communication preferences, healthcare systems can engage patients effectively. - **Early diagnoses:** analyzing patterns and patient health data allows for timely disease detection. - **Population health management:** predictive analytics aids in identifying at-risk populations and designing targeted interventions. - **Resource allocation:** efficiently allocate resources across the system, improving cost-effectiveness. As the AI revolution unfolds, it has never been a better time to increase our understanding of the benefits of AI and its real-world applications in healthcare. By adopting AI technologies, healthcare systems can be at the forefront of improving population health, reducing cost of care, enhancing the patient experience, and improving provider satisfaction. ## Sources - NRC Health. (2024, August 15). [*Get to know your market in a whole new way*](https://nrchealth.com/market-insights-2024-a/). Market Insights trend monitoring. - McCormack, M. (2024, May 24). [*Beating Burnout: How AI Streamlined Primary Care at Renown Health*](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/podcasts/podcasts-beckers-hospital-review/beating-burnout-how-ai-streamlined-primary-care-at-renown-health-132655992.html) \[Podcast episode, sponsored by Nuance\]. Becker’s Hospital Review. - Editorial Staff. (2024, April 10). [*10 High-Value Use Cases for Predictive Analytics in Healthcare*](https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechanalytics/feature/10-high-value-use-cases-for-predictive-analytics-in-healthcare). TechTarget. ![](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/hs-fs/hubfs/site-art/v3/josh-weidenfeller-headshot-square.jpeg?width=176&height=176&name=josh-weidenfeller-headshot-square.jpeg) Josh Weidenfeller I build demand generation for companies whose products are hard to sell: complex, RFP-driven, long sales cycles and buying committees. The work covers GTM strategy, revenue systems and pipeline reporting. [About Josh](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/about)[Follow on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshweidenfeller) [Start a conversation](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/contact) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joshweidenfeller.com%2Finsights%2Fai-in-healthcare) [All posts](https://www.joshweidenfeller.com/insights) Demand Data ## One email a month on building demand for complex products. Teardowns, scoring models, data hygiene, and what AI is good for in a revenue team. Once a month, written by me. 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