With all the buzz around AI in digital health, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The promises of disruption and transformation are everywhere, and while AI undoubtedly has the potential to reshape many aspects of healthcare, it’s important to remember that some things will remain constant. At MEMOTEXT, we believe that grounding ourselves in these anchors can provide clarity amidst the noise and provide the fundamentals around which we can collaborate in AI digital engagement strategies.

These constants remind us that while AI can be a powerful tool, it’s just one part of a much larger ecosystem. At MEMOTEXT, we’re committed to leveraging technology in a way that respects these enduring truths, ensuring that digital health solutions are both innovative and grounded in the realities of patient care.

Here are some constants that continue to hold true—even as AI marches forward:

1. Regulatory & Ethical Oversight

AI won’t get a free pass into clinical workflows—at least not anytime soon. Regulatory bodies like Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), the FDA, and global counterparts will continue to demand rigorous validation, safety protocols, and efficacy data before AI tools can influence patient care. The ethical considerations surrounding patient data privacy, consent, and algorithmic transparency will remain critical in guiding AI’s integration into healthcare.

2. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Still Matter

While AI can help close gaps in healthcare access and delivery, it can’t eliminate the systemic issues that shape health outcomes. Factors like income, geographical location, education, and systemic inequities will continue to play a significant role in determining patient health. AI can assist, but it’s no silver bullet for the complex social and economic factors influencing health.

3. Liability & Accountability in Patient Care

Even as AI assists, augments, or in some cases replaces certain functions, the ultimate responsibility for medical decisions and patient outcomes will remain with human providers. Legal frameworks around malpractice and liability are unlikely to shift toward AI entities anytime soon. Can you imagine a chatbot defending itself in court against a malpractice claim? Neither can we.

4. Complexity and Interoperability Challenges

Healthcare systems are notoriously complex, with entrenched silos and interoperability issues. While AI holds promise for streamlining operations and improving communication, expecting it to make everyone “play nice” overnight is optimistic. The challenges of integrating diverse systems, navigating institutional fiefdoms, and fostering collaboration will persist, even with advanced technology in play.

5. The Patient’s Role in Their Own Health

AI can educate, nudge, and remind, but behavior change, adherence, and self-management will always be central to health outcomes. Technology can support patients in making healthier choices, but personal motivation, lifestyle factors, and the human connection in care are irreplaceable components of lasting health improvements.

What else won’t change in healthcare, despite all the predictions? We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments below and let’s continue the conversation.

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