From Symptoms to Solutions: Treating AI Implementation Challenges in Healthcare

More than 80% of large-scale transformation initiatives fail, and the healthcare sector is no exception¹. While the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is immense, its successful implementation remains elusive for many health systems. The reason is clear: in healthcare, change is not simply a technical upgrade. It is a clinical, cultural, and operational transformation that touches every stakeholder, from front-line clinicians to patients.

As change management consultants deeply involved in strategic digital transformations, we’ve seen firsthand that even the most advanced technological tools struggle to gain traction without a clear and adaptive change strategy.

At a system level, AI has the potential to relief overstretched healthcare infrastructures. The U.S. alone spends over $4 trillion annually on healthcare, much of it driven by administrative burden, overtreatment, and fragmented processes². AI offers scalable solutions to reduce costs and improve the quality of care. From automating routine tasks to enhancing clinical workflows and optimising resource allocation, AI can support the development of a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system. Crucially, it paves the way for more optimised care pathways that are sustainable, accessible, and truly patient-centred. However, realising these benefits requires more than technology; it demands organisational readiness, cultural change, and strategic alignment.

Despite this potential, adoption remains limited. Technology is not the barrier; transformation readiness is.

1. Cultural Resistance and Clinical Scepticism

Clinicians are trained to prioritise evidence, process integrity, and patient safety. AI challenges established norms of clinical autonomy and professional judgment, particularly when algorithms operate as "black boxes" with limited explainability. Additionally, fears of "deskilling" and the redefinition of clinical roles contribute to resistance. Many providers hesitate to place trust in machine-generated insights over years of personal expertise.

2. Workflow Disruption and Interoperability Challenges

Healthcare delivery is governed by tightly integrated clinical pathways supported by systems like EMRs, radiology PACS, and laboratory information systems, to name a few. Innovative AI tools that fail to integrate seamlessly risk being sidelined, as they may disrupt established workflows rather than enhance them. From a change management perspective, such misalignment and poor interoperability can create friction and foster resistance among clinicians and staff, who may view the technology as a barrier to care rather than a support.

3. Data Privacy, Ethics, and Regulatory Compliance

AI systems rely heavily on personal health information, making data privacy and ethical considerations paramount. Compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR is non-negotiable. Lack of transparency in how data is used, unclear accountability for clinical decisions, and the absence of safeguards around algorithmic fairness can significantly erode trust among providers and patients.

4. Workforce Readiness and Skills Gaps

The clinical workforce often lacks formal training in digital health, AI literacy, or data science³. A significant digital divide exists between early adopters and those less familiar with emerging technologies. In addition, inter-professional dynamics such as administrative and nursing staff feeling excluded from digital transformation planning- can further hinder widespread engagement and adoption.

AI adoption in healthcare requires more than a deployment plan. It needs a transformation strategy rooted in behaviour change, clinical engagement, and organisational alignment. Here's how a tailored change management approach can support success:

1. Aligning with Clinical Values and Evidence

We ensure that AI implementations are grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with clinical value. Our approach identifies and involves relevant stakeholders early in the design process, co-creating workflows that enhance, rather than disrupt, patient care. The goal is to reinforce that AI supports decision-making without replacing professional judgment.

2. Building Clinical Champions and Change Agents

We identify and train early adopters and operational leaders as "super users" or change agents. These individuals lead by example, translating technical change into clinical impact. Their involvement boosts credibility, accelerates adoption, and promotes sustained behavioural change. Moreover, our experience indicates that a well-established change agent network plays a critical role in fostering psychological safety among colleagues. It serves as a vital communication bridge between leadership and end users, ensuring that voices are heard and enabling sustained adoption through greater trust and engagement.

3. Workforce Enablement and Continuous Education

Our learning and development (L&D) stream are experts in creating training materials tailored to diverse skill levels across roles. We deliver adaptive training modules, scenario-based learning, and real-time support. This empowers all staff, whether digital novices or data-savvy professionals to integrate AI into their daily practice with confidence.

4. Organisational Design and Job Role Reconfiguration

AI often reshapes workflows, reporting structures, and team roles. We assist organisations in reconfiguring job descriptions, supporting recruitment for new digital roles, and aligning talent strategies with the future of care delivery.

5. Governance, Communication, and Sustained Engagement

We support the development of robust governance structures to ensure risk mitigation, ethical compliance, and operational alignment. Furthermore, our communication strategies are designed to manage expectations, reduce misinformation, and maintain momentum throughout the implementation lifecycle. Crucially, we build in feedback loops that allow for agile iteration post-deployment.

Healthcare organisations must look beyond the algorithm and focus on people, processes, and purpose.

Adopting AI is not simply about installing software; it is about transforming clinical practice, team dynamics, and patient outcomes. With the right leadership, engagement, and ongoing support, AI can fulfil its promise of enabling smarter, safer, and more sustainable healthcare.

At KPMG Malta’s People & Change, we help you make AI adoption real, relevant, and resilient because transformation only succeeds when people move with it.

If you would like to explore future opportunities or discuss how we can support your digital transformation journey, please get in touch with us.