A recent survey conducted by Royal Philips highlights significant healthcare challenges in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. According to the 10th annual Future Health Index (FHI) report, 66% of patients in the region are facing delays in seeing a specialist, with the average waiting time spanning 47 days. These delays are leading to worsened health outcomes for many, with one in three patients reporting deterioration in their condition due to the wait.
The survey, which includes responses from 16 countries such as Australia, Indonesia, and South Korea, reveals that AI and predictive analytics have the potential to significantly alleviate pressures on healthcare systems. Despite widespread optimism among healthcare professionals about these technologies, trust issues and concerns about implementation remain.
Jasper Westerink, Senior Vice President at Philips, emphasized the urgency of adopting AI. “Patients are waiting for more than a month for specialist care, and healthcare professionals are losing valuable clinical time due to incomplete patient data,” he said. “AI can help clinicians act faster, make better decisions, and anticipate patient needs, improving overall care.”
The survey also found that AI could lead to a reduction in hospital admissions and decrease the need for emergency procedures, with 81% of healthcare professionals believing digital health technologies, including AI, will play a key role in reducing hospital admissions. Furthermore, 89% of respondents believe AI could save lives by enabling earlier interventions.
However, the healthcare workforce is grappling with data-related challenges. Three in four professionals (76%) report losing clinical time due to inaccessible or incomplete patient data, with one-third losing over 45 minutes per shift. This inefficiency is exacerbated by an increasing administrative burden, with 39% of clinicians spending more time on paperwork than patient care.
The World Health Organization estimates a shortage of 6.9 million healthcare workers in Southeast Asia by 2030, contributing to the strain. Nearly half of the surveyed healthcare professionals expressed concern over growing patient backlogs and burnout from non-clinical tasks if AI is not integrated into healthcare systems.
The report also revealed barriers to AI adoption. Despite 81% of healthcare professionals being involved in tech development, 39% believe the technologies are not suited to their needs. There are concerns about legal accountability (71%) and data biases in AI systems (66%). Patients share similar concerns, with 54% worried about data security and 51% fearing reduced face-to-face time with doctors.
Building trust in AI is essential for widespread adoption, both among healthcare professionals and patients. The majority (84%) of healthcare professionals agree that trust in AI can be fostered through clear guidelines and transparent, evidence-based solutions. For patients, 75% would support the use of AI in healthcare if it improves access to care and enhances treatment. Furthermore, 86% of patients would feel more comfortable with AI if it is endorsed by their doctors.
Westerink concluded, “Fostering trust in AI is key to unlocking its potential. Collaborative efforts across the industry are needed to ensure responsible and inclusive integration into healthcare systems in APAC.”
The findings underscore the need for AI to help address the region’s healthcare challenges, but also stress the importance of overcoming trust and implementation barriers to fully leverage its capabilities.
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