To better utilize the potential of AI in elder care, a sector-wide vision is a prerequisite. This is evident from the AI Kompas of the AI Coalition and Vilans published in late November 2024.
The Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC) and Vilans want to contribute to the optimal application of AI in elder care with the AI Compass. The compass comes with seven activities that elderly care organizations and national agencies can pick up to implement AI faster and accelerate the transformation.
1. Define an AI vision for healthcare.
Compilers Edith van de Weg, Dirk Lukkien and Brent Opmeer agree that for that acceleration, a sector-wide vision is needed first. That vision will preferably be drawn up together with interested parties. According to the authors, this will require experts who know how the healthcare system works, as well as healthcare professionals and IT professionals who know the opportunities and limitations of AI applications.
Edith van de Weg: "It is important to really set a dot on the horizon with such a shared vision, including related activities. That vision will have to be widely endorsed and co-fueled with bottom-up initiatives involving the ecosystem, with the right competencies."
2. Invest in AI knowledge and skills
Directors and managers in senior care organizations often have a general idea of the value of data and AI in care, but sometimes lack the in-depth knowledge to make informed choices and guide implementations. Therefore, it is useful to support both directors and staff in developing competencies in data and AI, both strategic and operational.
3. Get the digital basics in order
A prerequisite for realizing the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in elder care, according to the compass, is improving the information management of individual care organizations. Edith van de Weg: "If a care organization's data structure is in order, it can keep up with technological changes. That's what they all need to do now. But together. Because that is really necessary to ensure data exchange and interoperability."
4. Carefully integrate AI into the care/work process.
Almost always, an AI application will mean a smaller or larger change to existing care/work processes. Make sure the new process is clear to everyone.
Van de Weg: "Many professionals are not eager to start working in a new way, they are busy enough as it is. It is therefore very important to involve healthcare professionals in the implementation of innovations and not impose them from above. Such an innovation must fit seamlessly into the work process. It doesn't help if an employee has to keep thinking about how to access a particular system."
5. Assess the added value of AI in relation to cost
Revenue and cost expectations must be realistic. This can be done, for example, by preparing a business case for a specific healthcare context. This is often still feasible, but it becomes more challenging when multiple AI applications need to be integrated into processes and/or multiple organizations or suppliers are involved. The compass advocates a sector-wide learning environment where best practices, experiences and results can be shared.
6. Carefully weigh the ethical pros and cons of AI
AI can contribute to safer and better care for the elderly, for example by identifying health problems or providing social and emotional support. On the other hand, AI can also infringe on the privacy and privacy of the elderly, for example by collecting and analyzing their sensitive data, observing and influencing their behavior or replacing human contact. So there are several ethical issues at play that have no easy answers.
Van de Weg: "Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but customization is needed. The needs, desires, values and norms of all involved must be taken into account. Currently, this systematic consideration is often not done or is based on incomplete or unreliable information."
7. Invest in collaboration, knowledge sharing and support
Many senior care organizations say they are struggling to take on data-driven work and the deployment of AI independently. Van de Weg emphasizes the importance of joint learning and implementation. Knowledge exchange with other sectors within and outside healthcare can be very valuable. Van de Weg mentions the cure and mental health sector, but also telecommunications, e-commerce or finance, for example. "A good example is the construction sector. There, collaboration has been set up to scale up innovations. I think it is worth investigating whether such a cooperation, possibly as a cooperative, can also be set up in elderly care."
This is an article by Dutch Health Hub. Want to keep up with all the news from the healthcare industry? Then take a look at the hub and sign up for the weekly newsletter.
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