Artificial Intelligence has thrust the world of Medical Affairs towards a major transformation.
While some of us are fully invested in embracing the change, others are less motivated and reluctant to adapt.
What is hand-cuffing Medical Affairs from fully engaging with this evolution?
- Is it the fear of the unknown?
- Is it a disruption to the long-standing methods in current practices?
- Has technology yet to advance enough for widespread acceptance within Medical Affairs?
One thing is clear – AI is here to stay.
What once seemed a futuristic concept is now a present-day reality. AI is radically impacting and reshaping every industry across the globe, and Medical Affairs is no exception.
I sat down with three Medical Affairs veterans and AI experts to diagnose this groundbreaking technology. Together, we explored what is working today and how future developments are expected to advance patient care.
Our insightful conversation touched on key topics, including:
- Speeding up the path from accurate diagnosis to appropriate treatment.
- Shortening the lag between data collection and publication of results.
- Juggling the over-reliance on AI diagnosis versus human expertise.
- Building an alliance with our digital colleagues to establish trust and confidence.
The Experts:
In this Insights discussion, I’m joined by three highly accomplished colleagues who share their unique stories, perspectives, and insights on AI in Medical Affairs.
Sonal Bhatia, MD
Exec. Advisor, Efficus Health, Former Chief Medical Officer at Pfizer Rare Disease.
Former Sr. Advisor, Efficus Health. AI/ML technical leader & applied researcher
SonAL Bhatia, MD
“AI can shorten the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases…AI helps patients get the right treatment much sooner.”
In what ways do you believe AI can streamline or have an immediate impact on how Medical Affairs operates? What low-hanging fruit comes to mind?
Sonal: “I truly believe AI has the power to revolutionize the Medical Affairs processes. Take publications as an example. We often spend so much time going through multiple drafts, and it can take over a year to get something published. With AI, we could potentially generate a first draft in seconds, dramatically speeding up the dissemination of critical medical information.
AI can also transform how we approach advisory boards. Instead of lengthy in-person meetings with delayed insights, AI enables real-time insight collection and analysis, allowing for quicker validation and action.”
How can AI contribute to a better understanding of diseases and improve patient outcomes?
Kevin: “AI has the potential to analyze vast amounts of data, from medical records to social media, to help us identify patients at risk for specific diseases. This can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”
Sonal: “I’ve seen firsthand how AI can shorten the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases. By detecting patterns and identifying misdiagnosed individuals, AI can help get patients the right treatment much sooner.”
How do you think AI will impact the roles of the Medical Affairs professionals?
Sonal: “I believe AI will free us up to be more strategic. Instead of spending weeks writing content, we can focus on analyzing data, generating insights, and collaborating with cross-functional partners. It’s an evolution of our roles, not an elimination.”
Kevin: One of my biggest concerns is that the technology is still evolving, so we want to be sure that we have the appropriate safeguards in place.
kevin williams, MD, JD, MPH
“One of my biggest concerns is that the technology is still evolving, so we want to be sure that we have the appropriate safeguards in place.”
How should medical affairs professionals approach and navigate AI advancements?
Sonal: “I believe a mindset shift is essential. We need to move away from the fear that AI will replace us and embrace it as a tool that can enhance our capabilities. Medical Affairs professionals will need to become more strategic and focus on higher-level thinking.”
Kevin: “Collaboration with our digital colleagues is going to be crucial. We need to partner closely to develop the right solutions and build our understanding and comfort level with the technology.”
When adopting AI into Medical Affairs, what obstacles will likely hinder the implementation?
Kevin: “In my experience, securing the necessary funding is one of the biggest challenges. While there’s often interest in using AI, it can be difficult to get the budget to implement these technologies.”
Sonal: “I think it’s important to demonstrate the value and utility of AI to overcome budget hurdles. Conducting experiments and showcasing the time and cost savings can help make the case for investment.”
What are the key challenges or ethical considerations Medical Affairs should keep in mind when integrating AI?
Kevin: “One of my biggest concerns is that the technology is still evolving, and we need to be cautious about over-relying on it. We need to be thoughtful about where to use AI and where to continue relying on human expertise. It’s crucial to experiment, study, and develop a deeper understanding before widespread implementation.”
Sonal: “I think it’s important to address the ethical considerations, particularly around data privacy and security. We need to ensure that patient data is protected and that we’re using AI responsibly.”
“I think we’re not doing enough with AI yet. I think we have a long way to go and we need to accelerate that journey.”
Peter Henstock, PHD
How can organizations ensure the ethical use of AI in Medical Affairs?
Kevin: “Transparency is key. We need to be open about how we’re using AI, perhaps even including disclosures in publications to indicate the extent of AI involvement. We must also prioritize patient privacy and data security.”
Peter: “It’s becoming increasingly important to address data privacy concerns. Companies can now pay open AI to ensure that their data is not stored or shared, providing an extra layer of protection.”
What advice would you give medical affairs leaders who are looking to implement AI with their teams?
Kevin: “Start by partnering with your digital experts. They can provide invaluable guidance and support in developing and implementing AI solutions. Also, remember that it’s okay to start small, experiment, and gradually scale up as you gain confidence and see results.”
What do you believe are innovative AI applications that will have an immediate and significant impact on Medical Affairs today?
Peter: “I’m particularly excited about the potential of federated learning. This approach allows us to share information and gain collective insights without compromising data privacy. For example, we could analyze data across the industry to identify trends or benchmarks without sharing individual company data.”
What successful examples of AI implementation can serve as a valuable guide for Medical Affairs?
Sonal: “I think we can learn a lot from the digital marketing world. The way AI is used to personalize ads and guide consumers through their purchasing journey is a great example of how we could tailor information to physicians based on their specific needs and interests.”
Kevin: “I agree. The ability to customize information and deliver targeted content is key. We need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and use AI to provide physicians with the specific information they need to make the best decisions for their patients.”
What is your vision for the future of Medical Affairs in the age of AI?
Sonal: “I envision a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into our workflows, empowering us to be more strategic, efficient, and impactful. It’s about using AI as a tool to ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
Kevin: “My hope is that we’ll use AI responsibly and ethically, always keeping the patient at the center of our efforts. By leveraging the power of AI, we can help physicians make better-informed decisions and ultimately improve the lives of the patients we serve.”
Peter: “I believe we need to accelerate our adoption of AI. While there are risks to consider, there are also significant risks in not utilizing it effectively. It’s about finding the right balance and moving forward.”
Key Takeaways:
- AI is Breaking Ground: No more business as usual. AI will revolutionize Medical Affairs by automating tasks, accelerating processes, and generating valuable insights.
- AI is a Powerful Tool: AI will speed up the publication process, expedite analyzing insights, personalize medical communications, and more importantly – save lives.
- AI Requires Ethical Boundaries: Patient privacy, data security, transparency, and accuracy are critical ethical considerations that must be addressed.
- Human Oversight of AI Remains Essential: While AI will automate tasks and generate insights, human oversight is crucial to maintain accuracy, provide context, and ensure strategic alignment.
- AI Calls for New Thinking: A mind-shift shift is necessary. Medical affairs professionals need to embrace and adapt to their new roles, focusing on higher-level strategic work.
The discussion highlighted AI’s immense potential to transform Medical Affairs, from accelerating research and development to improving patient outcomes.
Efficus Health can no longer overlook the vast potential of AI to accelerate and enhance patient outcomes.
This is why we are embracing the remarkable advantages of AI and stand at the forefront of developing AI tools tailored to meet the needs of Medical Affairs. These tools include solutions for streamlining query responses and document reviews. (VeriphAI). We are here to help you transition towards implementing AI into your lane of Medical Affairs.
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