Artificial intelligence in healthcare: applications, challenges, and future directions. A narrative review informed by international, multidisciplinary expertise
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Objectives: This narrative review evaluates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, summarizing its historical evolution, current applications across medical and surgical specialties, and implications for allied health professions and biomedical research. Methods: We conducted a structured literature search in Ovid MEDLINE (2018-2025) using terms related to AI, machine learning, deep learning, large language models, generative AI, and healthcare applications. Priority was given to peer-reviewed articles providing novel insights, multidisciplinary perspectives, and coverage of underrepresented domains. Key findings: AI is increasingly applied to diagnostics, surgical navigation, risk prediction, and personalized medicine. It also holds promise in allied health, drug discovery, genomics, and clinical trial optimization. However, adoption remains limited by challenges including bias, interpretability, legal frameworks, and uneven global access. Contributions: This review highlights underexplored areas such as generative AI and allied health professions, providing an integrated multidisciplinary perspective. Conclusions: With careful regulation, clinician-led design, and global equity considerations, AI can augment healthcare delivery and research. Future work must focus on robust validation, responsible implementation, and expanding education in digital medicine.
Source: Frontiers in Digital Health
Authors: Ata Mohajer-Bastami, Sarah Moin, Suhaib Ahmad, Ahmed R. Ahmed, Sjaak Pouwels, Shahab Hajibandeh, Wah Yang, Chetan Parmar, Mohammad Kermansaravi, Miriam Khalil, Ali Waleed Khalid, Ameer Khamise, David Rawaf, Farzad Hosseini, Anurag Agarwal, Anil Lala, Shafi Ahmed, Bijendra Patel, Barbara Fyntanidou, Richard Egan, Stavroula G. Mougiakakou, Dominik Andreas Jakob, Vincent Ribordy, Wolf E. Hautz, Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos
Institutions: East Surrey Hospital, Imperial College London, Bielefeld University, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, Morriston Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Apollo Hospitals, Whittington Hospital, Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, University College London, Iran University of Medical Sciences, St James's University Hospital, University of Buckingham, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Barts Health NHS Trust, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Bern, University Hospital of Bern, HFR Freiburg Kantonsspital
Language: English
Subfield: Health Informatics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,077
Funder: Insel Gruppe
OpenAlex ID: W4415960491