STEVE BERKOWITZ, MD

Partner with AI—and Still Maintain the HUMANITY

Hardly a day goes by when there is not a story in the news about artificial intelligence and its impact on healthcare. New advances in technology and applications—both exciting and scary—seem to be evolving exponentially. How does the healthcare executive stay on top of the science and make knowledgeable decisions? What evidence exists to support the validity of these technologies? Given precious resources, which services will bring the hospital the best return on investment (ROI)?

Dr. Steve Berkowitz will first review current controversies in artificial intelligence such as AI biases, performance gaps of this technology, and hallucinations, emphasizing the importance of preserving the human factor.

Then, Dr. Berkowitz will share an evidence-based methodology to rate current AI technologies on the basis of value, efficacy, and ROI and will give examples of currently available products such as AI scribes, clinical decision support programs, and operational optimization citing pertinent studies and national best practice examples.

Presentation Objectives:

1. Provide an update on key AI topics that are currently controversial.
2. Discuss how to implement an AI culture that maintains the humanity.
3. Using the rating system, critically evaluate specific AI applications in terms of value and ROI, including:
   • AI scribes and the medical record
   • Clinical decision support and personalized medicine
   • Operational optimization—revenue cycle, supply chain, scheduling and throughput

The Evolution of Quality Improvement in Healthcare

It has been almost 25 years since the epic publications of “The Quality Chasm” and “To Err is Human.” In the ensuing 25 years, we’ve been flooded with hundreds of quality indicators and methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma.  Accrediting organizations and payors have placed huge demands on the healthcare system to acquire and submit data.

But even with “pay for performance” and data transparency, have we made progress? The life expectancy and maternal mortality in the USA is declining. Medical errors remain the third leading cause of death—behind cancer and heart disease. Indicators may have improved, but has QUALITY improved?

Fortunately, we have a new player in town: artificial intelligence. Proper use of AI technology will drive quality to the next level.

Dr. Berkowitz will discuss nationally recognized AI best practices that can be implemented to stay ahead of the curve and truly deliver the quality of care our patients deserve, achieving true population health and health equity.

Presentation Objectives:

1. Discuss the four stages of quality improvement in healthcare during the last 20 years—what has worked and what has not.
2. Review the current state of artificial intelligence technology.
3. Discuss the effect of COVID-19 on achieving quality goals.
4. Discuss the role of AI in turbocharging quality to the next level:
   • AI scribes and the improved medical record
   • Clinical decision making
   • Reducing adverse drug events
   • Predicting and managing disease

The incidence and severity of provider “burnout,” even after COVID, remains a major concern for all medical specialties. “Burnout” is not unique to physicians, nor is it unique to healthcare. “Burnout” is not simply too much work, but rather the result of the frustration of the work, perceptions of powerlessness, and lack of optimal work/life balances.

Often, symptoms are not recognized in a timely fashion, resulting in severe consequences for the provider, the organization, and the patients.

As organizations struggle to recognize and manage physician burnout, Dr. Berkowitz will discuss six steps that can be implemented today to reduce work stress, enhance coping mechanisms, and promote resilience and work/life balance. AI technology is key to ultimately improving provider well-being and retention.

What follows is provider retention. Individual practitioners, their families, and their respective organizations can work together to make the practice of medicine more rewarding and meaningful for the long term. How can your organization better provide ongoing value for your providers?

“Often symptoms are not recognized in a timely fashion, resulting in severe consequences to the provider, the organization, and the patients.”

Presentation Objectives:

1. Discuss the demographics of provider burnout, depression, and suicide.
2. Review current models of burnout—where they have succeeded and where they have failed.
3. Give examples where the implementation of AI can reduce burnout.
4. Discuss six steps you and your organization can start today to better:
   • Recognize symptoms of burnout
   • Help the provider manage burnout
   • Prevent burnout in the organization

Hardly a day goes by when there is not a story in the news about artificial intelligence and its impact on society. New advances in technology and applications—both exciting and scary—seem to be evolving exponentially. Rural/ community hospitals are under more pressure than ever to succeed. How can the hospital and community take maximum advantage of this emerging technology?

Artificial intelligence will affect healthcare profoundly in the next few years. Rural and community hospitals already face unprecedented challenges with the pressures of cost reduction, improving healthcare quality and access, maintaining patient satisfaction, and developing integrated networks of care. Recently, the option of becoming a Rural Emergency Hospital and closing inpatient services has been put on the table.

Dr. Berkowitz will review the basic models and concepts of AI with particular emphasis on their applications in the context of rural healthcare and community hospitals. He will discuss the
inherent biases and limitations of this technology and emphasize the importance of maintaining the human factor as one implements AI programs. He will discuss specific options for rural/community hospitals such as AI scribes, clinical decision making tools, and operational improvement opportunities, citing the best national practice
examples.

Presentation Objectives:

1. Discuss the expanding role of artificial intelligence and how it can enhance rural medicine.
2. Discuss the exponential improvement in AI and how will effect your hospital.
3. Discuss the limitations and biases of AI—is it ready for prime time?
4. Discuss how to implement an AI culture that maintains the humanity.
5. Discuss specific AI applications, best practices and outcome studies.
   • AI scribes and the improved medical record
   • Clinical decision making and personalized medicine
   • Operational optimization—revenue cycle, supply chain, scheduling and throughput

The role and influence of the physician executive has come a long way since the old days of “schmoozing” in the physicians’ lounge.  The responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or Chief Physician Executive (CPE) have greatly expanded in scope and influence. Being a successful physician executive requires many skills NOT taught in medical school. How can we better select, train, and mentor these physician leaders?

Dr. Berkowitz has been a CMO for healthcare systems, individual hospitals, insurance companies, medical groups, and outpatient facilities. He has distilled these experiences into twelve pearls that are must-haves for all successful physician executives. He has incorporated these pearls into a CMO mentoring program for both new CMOs and experienced CMOs facing particular challenges.

In this presentation, Dr. Berkowitz reviews these pearls and offers national best practice solutions for the healthcare challenges ahead.

“Being a successful physician executive requires skills NOT taught in medical school.”

Presentation Objectives:

1. Discuss the changing roles and responsibilities of the physician executive.
2. Present the twelve pearls and offer practical solutions to the challenges they bring.
3. Discuss organizational strategies to better select, train, and mentor physician leaders.
4. Discuss opportunities to speed the learning curve of new physician executives.
5. Discuss key challenges for even experienced physician leaders.

The practice of medicine will continually be changed by new and sometimes disruptive technologies. Genomic testing has the ability to predict the risk of future health events, response to certain medications and treatability of certain tumors. Artificial intelligence, with its ability to provide high speed analysis, could very well be the breakthrough needed to substantially advance genomic medicine.

Meanwhile, nanotechnology may revolutionize the delivery of medications and surgeries through the miniaturization of procedures.

Dr. Berkowitz will discuss how these radically innovative modalities can dramatically change how hospitals and caregivers treat patients.

“Nanotechnology will revolutionize the delivery of medications and surgeries.”

“AI will be the breakthrough to advance genomics.”

Presentation Objectives:

1. Discuss the role of disruptive technologies in the practice of medicine for both caregivers and hospitals.
2. Review present and future potentials of genetic testing.
3. Discuss potential legal and ethical consequences of genomics.
4. Review how the prudent application of AI can revolutionize the clinical applications of genomics.
5. Discuss the evolving role of microtechnology and nanotechnology in the future practice of caregivers and the financial implications for hospitals.