A major healthcare alliance has released the first comprehensive report on how artificial intelligence can address America’s healthcare worker shortage while caring for a rapidly aging population.
HealthFORCE, the American Academy of Physician Associates and West Health published “Aging Well with AI: Empowering Care through Innovation,” identifying 5 specific ways AI can reduce strain on clinicians and improve care for older adults without compromising human relationships in medicine.
The report comes as the US faces an unprecedented demographic shift, with older adults set to outnumber children for the first time in American history by 2034, whilst simultaneously experiencing record healthcare workforce shortages.
“By 2034, older adults will outnumber children in the U.S. for the first time in history,” said Lisa M. Gables, CEO of AAPA and founder of HealthFORCE. “This shift, combined with record-high workforce shortages, demands immediate innovation. This report shows how AI can be part of the solution, giving clinicians back time to focus on what matters most – their patients.”
The paper outlines 5 AI applications: home care optimisation through automated scheduling and health data synthesis; care continuity between hospitals and community services; personalised treatment plans using whole-person data rather than age-based assumptions; early detection through remote monitoring; and immersive clinical education using AI-powered virtual reality.
Zia Agha, MD, Chief Medical Officer of West Health, emphasised that AI could help healthcare systems move from reactive to proactive care but warned that policy changes are essential to implement these innovations effectively across care settings.
The organisations call for policy reforms including investment in geriatric-focused technology innovation, cross-specialty training incentives, national AI integration standards, and value-based payment models rewarding continuity and prevention.
A second report examining AI’s role across all patient populations will be released later this month, addressing the projected 3.2 million healthcare worker shortfall by 2026.
