AI is shaping a brighter, more human-centered healthcare future.
You hear about AI almost everyday, and that won’t be slowing down as we see this amazing innovation become more powerful and useful in every single sector of our lives. Healthcare is never the fastest to adopt new ways of doing things. So, it’s at no surprise to see the slow transition and acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare industry but it’s slowly catching up, and pharmacy practice is no exception.
As we see other industries race ahead with AI innovations, pharmacists are slowly beginning to see the potential of AI and its advantage in advancing their roles. This might come at a shock, but AI isn’t just about boosting efficiency, it might actually help bring back the human connection that healthcare has been missing. (I know, very ironic to have a robot bring back human connection)
The Promise of AI in Pharmacy: More Care, Less Burnout
This technology will give pharmacists the opportunity to practice at the top of their license. Pharmacists will spend less time buried in answering phone calls, dealing with insurance companies and extra paperwork to more time directly connecting with patients. This is exactly what AI promises, freeing pharmacists from tedious administrative tasks so they can focus on what truly matters. Experts believe this shift could lessen “burnout” (I put this in quotes because I have a whole theory on burnout that we can discuss another time) and reignite the passion many pharmacists feel for their profession.
But how is AI making this dream a reality?
- Predictive Modeling: AI can analyze trends and predict patient needs before they occur.
- Drug Discovery: It’s helping researchers identify new treatments faster than ever.
- Inventory Management: Say goodbye to stock shortages and over-ordering.
- Decision-Support Tools: AI helps flag potential adverse drug events, enhancing patient safety.
Although these applications are already making waves, one particular frontier is still finding its footing in pharmacy practice: generative AI.
Generative AI: The New Kid on the Block
Things are moving fast in the “AI world” so you might not have heard about generative AI. Here is a quick short explanation:
The “Traditional” AI that you hear about all the time can analyze data and make predictions. It excels at pattern recognition, so it can see data and then tell you what it sees. Generative AI can create new data and content informed by its training data.
With the ability of generative AI to create information, it is just starting to shape out its place in pharmacy. Some early stage applications include:
- Electronic Prior Authorizations
- Speeding up insurance approvals.
- Summarizing Patient Charts
- Quickly compiling relevant patient details.
- Drafting Clinical Notes
- Assisting with documentation to save time.
- Voice-Assisted Documentation
- Making data entry hands-free and seamless.
This is all exciting, but these tools are still works in progress (and remember new tech takes years to be implemented into healthcare). As these evolve, the main goal does not change, and that’s to make sure that AI doe smore than just improve efficiency. It needs to enhance patient interactions.
A Future Where Pharmacists Thrive
Sooner than we think AI will take care of the time consuming tasks, giving pharmacists the freedom to focus on providing personalized care.
Pharmacists will no longer be just processing prescriptions, they will:
- Spend more time understanding patients’ needs.
- Use AI insights to make better-informed decisions.
- Rediscover the joy of their profession.
This shift is beyond just improving workflows, it will transform how pharmacists connect with their patients. It’s a future where the human element of healthcare is front and center, supported (but not replaced) by technology.
Embracing AI: A Learning Journey
For many pharmacists, the idea of integrating AI into their practice can feel intimidating. But the good news is that there are plenty of resources available to help pharmacists understand and connect AI’s potential, such as:
- Journal Articles
- Certification Programs
- Continuing Education Courses
And let’s not forget the power of hands-on experience (The best way to learn something in my opinion). By testing different AI tools, pharmacists can learn firsthand how these innovations can be integrated into their daily routines.
The Bottom Line
AI isn’t here to take over, it’s here to help. By reducing administrative burdens and empowering pharmacists to focus on patient care, AI has the potential to rebuild the heart of healthcare. Of course, as we mentioned earlier, the road to full integration may be a work in progress, but one thing is clear: the future of pharmacy is brighter, more efficient, and most importantly, more human.
So, what are we waiting for? The time to embrace AI is now.
