Success required careful management of change, building trust in the system through peer champions, and providing personalized feedback. And this focus on the human element was a recurring theme.
One of the key challenges identified was balancing the enthusiasm of AI advocates with the practical needs of a hospital.
- Dr Toseef DinHospital CEO MP Shah, spoke about the need to build trust with clinicians before introducing advanced tools, assuring them that technology is there to help and not replace. His hospital is already developing its own AI policy, recognizing that governance must keep pace with technology.
- And Geoffroy GitagiaIT manager at Avenue Health Care, stressed the importance of speaking the language of clinicians and putting yourself in their shoes.
Dr Din also highlighted the importance of conducting a digital maturity audit to identify areas where AI can deliver the most value, focusing on assisted intelligence before aiming for autonomous systems. Above all, she reminded us not to forget compassion and our commitment to the Hippocratic Oath: “Don’t hurt.”
Looking to the Future: Accountable, Data-Driven Healthcare
The event concluded with a workshop that brought these themes to life, demonstrating how clinical decision support systems (CDS) like UpToDate® can drive clinical excellence.
We explored how usage data analysis can:
- Reveal gaps in care.
- Guide resource allocation.
- Inform about training needs.
For example, when data showed that diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was one of the most searched topics in Kenya, it prompted the question: how many hospitalizations are there and how can we better support clinicians in the management of this disease?
The data raises questions; it doesn’t always provide the answers. The real power lies in combining data-driven insights with clinician expertise. If we look to the future, it is clear that the role of AI extends beyond clinical diagnosis. It can optimize administrative workflows, predict supply chain needs, and help executives with financial planning.
The discussions in Nairobi confirmed my belief that the future of healthcare is a blend of technology and humanity. As Dr. Korom said: