Inside the Innovation: A Qualitative Study of Challenges Faced by Inventors in Implementing Artificial intelligence (AI) in Healthcare

Abstract

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations in healthcare to enhance healthcare outcomes and improve efficiency has sparked widespread interest. However, the implementation of AI in healthcare settings has not yet reached its full potential. While studies have explored challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals in adopting AI, there is a gap in understanding the challenges and facilitators experienced by inventors when implementing AI innovations into the healthcare industry. Employing a pragmatic qualitative design, this research uses semi-structured interviews with professionals at a start-up healthcare technology company. We used thematic analysis to analyse the data. Key findings reveal challenges such as physician acceptance, data quality and training, integration with existing systems, as well as financial and resource constraints. The study emphasizes the importance of co-creation and collaboration between AI developers and healthcare professionals to enhance effectiveness and acceptance in these settings. This research adds to a limited literature on AI spread in healthcare by offering insights from inventors' perspectives and emphasizing the need for policy and organizational strategies that promote sustainable implementation of AI in healthcare.