HIMSS and Medscape Unveil Groundbreaking Report on AI Adoption at Health Systems

HIMSS is pleased to announce the release of the Medscape & HIMSS AI Adoption by Medical Business Report 2024, a comprehensive study co-published with WebMD’s Medscape. This landmark report dives deep into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in health and healthcare, offering an unparalleled look at where medical organizations are implementing AI, the benefits they’re experiencing, and where the next wave of adoption might occur. 

With insights from a robust survey of over 800 respondents—including practicing physicians, clinicians, nurses, IT professionals, and healthcare executives—the report captures the diverse perspectives of those on the frontlines of AI integration in medical settings. 

Despite its potential to enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs, alleviate workforce burnout, and strengthen interoperability, health professionals remain mindful of the risks and challenges associated with AI integration. 

“Health professionals understand that artificial intelligence has the potential to fundamentally change health and healthcare, from clinical decision-support to operations to patient engagement,” said Hal Wolf, President & CEO of HIMSS. “However, a critical knowledge gap exists around the effective implementation of AI capabilities. To harness AI's full potential, practitioners and health system executives must build a digitally mature infrastructure that prioritizes ethical and secure use, ultimately improving patient outcomes and optimizing resource management.” 

The findings, highlighted in the Medscape & HIMSS AI Adoption by Health Systems Report 2024, reveal that 86% of respondents already leverage AI in their medical organizations, with 60% recognizing its ability to uncover health patterns and diagnoses beyond human detection. However, concerns persist, with 72% citing data privacy as a significant risk. 

The report includes insights and expert opinions from Anne Snowdon, chief scientific research officer at HIMSS, and Robert Havasy, HIMSS senior director, who help analyze and interpret the survey results. 

For years, Medscape has explored physicians' perspectives on AI across the U.S. and Europe, providing a glimpse into the future of AI in clinical care. This new collaboration with HIMSS extends those insights by focusing on organizations already integrating AI into their operations. 

The survey was jointly managed by Medscape and HIMSS, leveraging HIMSS’ expertise in healthcare innovation and Medscape’s deep connection with the medical community. Together, HIMSS and Medscape have delivered a report that not only highlights current trends but also provides actionable insights for healthcare leaders considering AI investments. 

The Medscape & HIMSS AI Adoption by Medical Business Report 2024 is now available on the new HIMSS AI webpage and on Medscape.com.