Google’s Chief Health Officer reveals technology’s disruptive role in Australian healthcare

Digital & Innovation: Dr Louise Schaper, CEO of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH), engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer at Google at the MedInfo23 conference. The interview delved into Dr DeSalvo’s remarkable career journey, her insights on the role of technology in healthcare, and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). She offered valuable insights into the transformative potential of AI and its impact on healthcare accessibility and patient empowerment.

Reflecting on her early aspirations, Dr DeSalvo revealed, “I’m one of those very annoying people who decided quite young that I wanted to be a doctor.” She explained that her mother, a single parent, instilled in her the belief that education was their way out of poverty. Dr DeSalvo’s desire to combine her love for science and helping people led her to pursue a career in medicine.

Discussing the challenges faced by patients in the healthcare system, Dr DeSalvo emphasised the importance of addressing system-level barriers and inequalities.

“I really was drawn to thinking about the system-level challenges my patients were facing, so they get care in the system, but that was once they were in. Getting into the system could be difficult,” she said. Issues like lack of insurance, work schedules, accessibility, and cultural disparities were significant hurdles.

When asked about her ‘why’ and the leap of faith she took in joining Google, Dr DeSalvo expressed her dedication to creating pathways for underprivileged individuals.

“My why is little girls like me that don’t have on the surface the kind of chances that you want them to have… I want to make their pathways easier,” she shared. Dr DeSalvo stressed the need to build a healthcare system that works for everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

Regarding Google’s role in healthcare, Dr DeSalvo explained, “We are actually a life company rather than a health company. We’re part of people’s lives every day.”

With billions of people turning to Google for answers and information, the company aims to provide accurate and reliable healthcare resources. Dr DeSalvo discussed the importance of partnering with the World Health Organisation and Ministries of Health to ensure the accessibility of high-quality information for users.

The conversation then shifted to the potential of AI in healthcare. Dr DeSalvo acknowledged that AI would revolutionise information-heavy professional areas, including medicine. She outlined three key areas where AI could make a significant impact: providing factual information and summarising medical evidence, advancing scientific research, and assisting with clerical tasks and cognitive support.

Dr DeSalvo stressed the responsible development of AI technologies, considering factors such as safety, equity, and societal impact.

“We take a testing go-slow approach… we build upon our current AI principles as we think about how to develop and work with others in partnership to test out large language models,” she explained. Google’s commitment to using AI for solving social challenges and enhancing equity guides their approach.

When discussing the potential of AI models, Dr DeSalvo highlighted their ability to improve patient experiences and outcomes. She stated, “Clinicians who use AI will replace clinicians who don’t.”

Through responsible development, AI can enhance healthcare accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and democratise access to high-quality care. By leveraging technology to its fullest, healthcare professionals can embrace a future where AI augments their abilities, leading to a more personalised and equitable healthcare system.

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