The three prioritization criteria (benefit, resource use and severity) for the health service in Norway also apply to AI. A cost-benefit analysis can help determine whether an AI system is the right solution and whether investment is justified.
An estimate may include costs associated with:
- Investments to be able to deploy the AI system
- Testing and validation
- Implementation
- Training
- Usage (personnel, license and unit price)
- System management
These costs should be weighed against the expected benefits, such as increased patient safety and improved use of resources. Examples of potential benefits include:
Quality
- Increased diagnostic accuracy or faster diagnostics: Provides more precise diagnoses and shorter time from examination to treatment.
- Optimization of treatment: Improved treatment regimen, correct dosing and increased personalized care.
- Improved treatment outcomes: Faster recovery, fewer side effects, complications, relapses and hospital readmissions compared to current treatment.
- Better training and communication: More effective training for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
- Customized information and decision support for patients and relatives: Empowering patients and relatives to take an active role in their care.
- Better collaboration: Strengthened collaboration between stakeholders, both internally within the organization, between the municipal and the specialist health service, and across sectors.
Economy
- Task- or labor-saving: Reducing manual work through automation of tasks.
- Administrative efficiency: Automation of administrative tasks such as contract management, logistics and resource allocation.
- Improved documentation: Faster and more accurate clinical documentation, including medical coding.
- Shorter waiting times: Quicker turnaround in, for example, radiological assessments or patient discharge, freeing up system capacity.
Development
- Research and innovation: Analyzing large datasets to identify new patterns and drive innovation.
- Better prognostic tools: Improving the ability to predict treatment outcomes and reduce risk.
- Technology and process development: Enhancing existing systems and introducing new solutions to strengthen healthcare delivery.