“Many hospitals acknowledge the need for artificial intelligence (AI), but still hesitate, asking, ‘Do we really need to adopt it now?’ However, within just a few years, the gap in both quality and profitability between AI-ready hospitals and those that are not will become enormous.”

Professor Jongmo Seo of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University, who also serves as a faculty member at the Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, expressed strong confidence in the transformative impact of AI in healthcare. While debates range from skepticism about AI’s utility to concerns about the “end of physicians,” Prof. Seo firmly stated that “healthcare is the field where AI transformation (AX) will have the greatest impact—and where it is absolutely essential.” What makes his perspective particularly compelling is his unique background as a physician-engineer. After earning a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Seoul National University’s College of Medicine and practicing as an ophthalmologist, he joined the College of Engineering at Seoul National University in 2008—the first case of a licensed physician being appointed as an engineering professor in Korea. Since then, he has focused on addressing real-world challenges faced by both clinicians and patients through engineering solutions.

Prof. Seo also participated in the development of an electronic medical record (EMR) system in 2004. Although EMR has since become an indispensable system in hospitals, he initially faced strong resistance from practitioners during its development. “Most physicians, who were accustomed to paper records, found the transition to EMR cumbersome or were concerned about it,” he recalled. “Even when we demonstrated the need for adoption by showing error-prone handwritten records, many opposed it, asking, ‘Won’t this make doctors focus more on monitors than on patients?’” Despite these concerns, within just one year of EMR implementation, both patient and physician satisfaction at Seoul National University Hospital increased significantly. The number of outpatient visits also rose markedly, from approximately 1.5 million in 2003 to over 2 million within three years, by 2006.

According to Prof. Seo, the impact of AI adoption is expected to far exceed that of EMR, benefiting hospitals, governments, and patients alike. “Currently, many preemptive tests are conducted out of uncertainty on the part of both physicians and patients,” he explained. “With improved diagnostic accuracy enabled by AI, such unnecessary procedures can be significantly reduced. This will lead to fewer hospital visits and shorter hospital stays, ultimately lowering social and economic costs.”

One of the most promising outcomes, he noted, is the potential reduction of regional disparities in healthcare. “Differences in medical outcomes across regions are not solely due to variations in equipment or physician expertise,” he said. “Access to shared clinical experience—often exchanged through academic meetings or informal networks—is also critical. However, physicians in regional or smaller practices face limitations in participating due to distance and scheduling constraints. AI can help bridge this information gap.”

For successful AI transformation in healthcare, Prof. Seo emphasized that physicians’ attitudes toward AI will be crucial. “While some apprehension is natural, there is minimal risk in using AI as a decision-support tool,” he said. “Rather than clinging to existing workflows, healthcare professionals should actively communicate with colleagues, experts in other fields, and patients—and lead the adoption of AI in medicine.”

Source: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/it/12001811

Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr