AI in Healthcare – A New Reality, But Professionals Aren’t Ready Yet

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the healthcare sector, from enhancing diagnostics to optimizing hospital management. AI has proven to be a powerful tool, improving the speed and accuracy of care. However, despite the widespread adoption of AI in healthcare, a significant challenge persists: many healthcare professionals are not fully prepared to integrate these new technologies into their daily routines.

In Spain, for instance, almost 80% of hospitals have implemented AI in some capacity—whether in diagnostics or hospital management. Yet, a report from Medscape reveals that only 11% of surveyed doctors consider themselves fully informed about the use of AI in medicine, while 71% feel somewhat informed, and 17% admit to having no knowledge of this technology. This gap raises an important question: Are we advancing digitalization faster than the healthcare system can absorb?

The key to overcoming this challenge lies in training. Healthcare professionals must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand and trust AI systems. Without proper training, the full potential of AI in healthcare will not be realized. Continuous learning and familiarization with new technologies must be an integral part of healthcare workers’ routines to ensure they can effectively and safely use AI in patient care.

Moreover, when seeking EU funding for MedTech and HealthTech projects—whether through Horizon Europe or other EU funding programs—it is essential to take this factor into account. While funding is crucial for driving innovation, it is equally important to consider the need for training programs to help healthcare professionals effectively implement AI technologies. Funding should not only support the development of new technologies but also prioritize the preparation of the workforce to use these tools efficiently.

If you are reading this and have a MedTech or HealthTech project, you should know that at at Evolution Europe, we specialize in helping these types of projects access Horizon Europe funding and other EU and Spanish national/regional grants. Contact us for more information: info@evolutioneurope.eu