Healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to AI solutions to extract value from unstructured clinical data.
A recent survey conducted by emtelligent, a leader in clinical-grade AI software, reveals that while AI adoption is growing in healthcare, many organizations struggle with effectively leveraging unstructured data. The study, which involved nearly 250 healthcare executives, found that 55% of organizations have integrated AI or natural language processing (NLP) technologies within the past two years.
The Challenge of Unstructured Clinical Data
An overwhelming 80% of healthcare data exists in unstructured formats, such as physician notes, scanned documents, and faxes. However, fewer than 40% of respondents reported having a fully effective solution for:
- Extracting meaningful insights from unstructured data (38%)
- Reducing operational costs through AI-driven data processing (37%)
- Using unstructured data to develop new healthcare products and services (39%)
Diverse Priorities Across Healthcare Sectors
Different healthcare sectors prioritize unstructured data use differently:
- Health systems focus on patient summaries, care management, and quality improvement.
- Pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations aim to streamline data entry and enhance clinical trials.
- Insurance payers leverage unstructured data for risk assessment, real-world evidence (RWE), and quality ratings.
Barriers to AI Adoption in Healthcare
Despite the promising potential of AI, several challenges hinder its full adoption:
- Data security and privacy concerns: Many organizations are hesitant to adopt AI due to regulatory risks.
- Internal skepticism: Some stakeholders doubt AI’s ability to deliver measurable value.
- Dependency on third-party vendors: While 83% of organizations partner with external AI providers, only 14% develop in-house solutions.
Optimism for the Future
Despite these challenges, AI in healthcare is set for rapid advancement. A remarkable 95% of survey respondents expect to see tangible benefits from their AI-driven unstructured data initiatives within two years, with 52% anticipating results in under a year.
According to Tim O’Connell, MD, CEO and co-founder of emtelligent, “These findings highlight the critical role of unstructured clinical data in driving healthcare innovation and improving patient outcomes. As a result, organizations are increasingly seeking expert AI partners to enhance their data strategies.”
Conclusion
The ability to harness unstructured data effectively is rapidly becoming a competitive differentiator in healthcare. As AI-powered tools evolve, they promise to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and ultimately improve patient care.
For more on AI advancements in healthcare, check out how athenahealth and Abridge are transforming AI-powered clinical documentation.
Learn more about emtelligent’s AI solutions at emtelligent.com.
