ON SELECTING & SCOPING AI USE CASES
At the outset, the technology and company were in its infancy, with no prior implementations to draw from. We faced two main competing factors with the model still limited in it’s capabilities, and the need to demonstrate ROI quickly. The executive leadership wanted to prioritize rapid implementation to get the initiative off the ground. Hence, among the four recommended Phase I areas from Hippocratic AI, colonoscopy pre-op outreach was selected due to its alignment with the system-wide strategic goal to reduce colonoscopy cancellations and the lack of integration with existing EMR system.
My First Question Was: Do we know if calling patients will improve preparation and reduce cancellations?
Although the answer was uncertain, we were committed to supporting Hippocratic AI's growth. So ensure we approached this strategically, I created a use case analysis and prioritization sheet, to evaluate the “Why” and “Why now” of each use case, the anticipated value, and the alignment with strategic goals.
My intention was to shift the focus from merely enhancing and implementing the technology, to include a focus on patient and organizational outcomes. I also outlined risks around knowledge, alignment, and buy-in from functional owners to deploy, lack of insights into patient perception around AI-based service delivery, and lack of communication and consent around AI-based service delivery.
While this framework and the risks outlined did not alter the initial mandate, it set the stage for my continued efforts to drive towards intentional decision-making. My first case study for this project outlines my efforts to guide the design, development, and integration of Hippocratic AI for colonoscopy prep reminders using human-centered design principles and helping WellSpan Health become the first large healthcare system to launch a conversation-based AI driven service.
