This meeting by the NAM’s Leadership Consortium Digital Health Action Collaborative explored the transformative impact of AI on the health and health care workforce, with a focus on reimagining professional roles and education, addressing workforce well-being, and shaping policy recommendations. Participants engaged in discussions that highlighted recent AI advancements, their implications for healthcare delivery, and strategies to align the workforce with the demands of an AI-driven future. The meeting sought to answer the following questions:
- What categories make up the workforce in health and medicine?
- How might their roles and responsibilities change with the emergence of AI?
- What are the skills and competencies necessary to thrive in an AI-driven environment?
- How might professional education be restructured to support these changes?
- What ethical challenges does AI introduce in health and health care?
- How can we build and maintain trust among professionals and patients in an AI-driven environment?
- What collaborative actions can stakeholders take to ensure AI improves patient outcomes and aligns with the future needs of the health care workforce?
- How can we navigate the implementation challenges and/or potential job displacement caused by AI while supporting the moral and psychological well-being of the health care workforce?
Outcomes from this meeting seek to identify priority workforce topics that can be further discussed through ongoing activities such as a health professions forum.
Agenda
8:30 am | Welcome from the NAM and the Leadership Consortium
- Michael McGinnis, National Academy of Medicine
8:30 am | Introductions & Meeting Overview
- Kenneth Mandl, Harvard University
- Mary Wakefield, formerly U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
9:00 am | Redefining the Health Workforce Through AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of health and medicine, ushering in a new era of high-quality diagnosis, personalized treatment, and innovative care models. This session will provide an in-depth presentation on recent AI advancements and their implications for the health workforce, such as optimizing diagnostics and treatment, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving significant changes in training.
- Facilitator: Kenenth Mandl, Harvard University
- Speaker: Genevieve Melton-Meaux, University of Minnesota
9:30 am | Reimagining Health Professional Education in the AI Era
This session will examine the current structure of health professional education and explore how it must evolve to meet the demands of an AI-assisted health care landscape. Participants will discuss the new skill sets required for health care professionals, including data literacy, AI competency, and ethical decision-making. The conversation will also explore the growing need for ongoing education and training to ensure professionals remain equipped to integrate AI tools effectively into their practice while maintaining patient trust and quality care.
- Facilitator: Mary Wakefield, formerly U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Speakers:
- Alison Whelan, Association of American Medical Colleges
- Kimberly Lomis, American Medical Association
- Stephen Ferrara, Columbia University
11:10 am | AI Implications for Patient-Shared Decision Making
This session will explore the transformative impact of AI on patient-shared decision-making processes, focusing on how AI technologies can support, enhance, or potentially alter the roles of health care professionals. Participants will share their perspectives on prioritizing trust, transparency, and collaboration to ensure AI is used effectively and responsibly in clinical environments.
- Facilitator: Kenneth Mandl, Harvard University
- Speakers:
- Shauna Overgaard, Mayo Clinic
- Susan Kirsh, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Gene Tunik, Northeastern University
12:30 pm Networking Lunch
1:15 pm | Leveraging AI to Improve Workforce Well-Being
AI technologies offer the potential to streamline tasks, improve efficiency, and allow professionals to focus more on direct patient care. However, the introduction of AI also raises concerns about its impact on the moral well-being of the workforce and the potential for job displacement. This session will delve into how AI can be leveraged to improve workforce well-being while addressing the ethical considerations and trust issues that arise with its implementation.
- Facilitator: Mary Wakefield, formerly U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Speakers:
- Denton Shanks, American Academy of Family Physicians
- Christine Murphy, American Academy of Nursing
- Lisa Gables, American Academy of Physician Associates
2:30 pm | Shaping the Future of an AI-assisted Health Workforce
To ensure that the health and medicine sectors are prepared to harness the full potential of AI while mitigating risks, it is essential to develop forward-thinking strategies, policies, and priorities that align with this rapidly evolving technology. This session will focus on identifying and discussing the critical actions necessary to shape a future workforce that is not only adept at working with AI but also positioned to lead future innovation.
- Facilitator: Kenneth Mandl, Harvard University
3:30 pm | NAM Thanks and Adjournment
- Michael McGinnis, National Academy of Medicine
Questions? Email [email protected].
