1. Patients want clarity on artificial intelligence’s role in healthcare

Most patients say knowing when artificial intelligence is used in their care is important. While many expect AI to improve health care in the next five years, concerns remain about misdiagnosis, privacy risks, and rising costs.

Physicians and clinicians use AI to automate tasks and support earlier diagnoses, but tools developed from non-representative data may lead to biased results. Providers must understand the data behind these tools to reduce risk and explain how human and AI input factors into care decisions. The FDA requires AI products to be thoroughly evaluated before clinical use, and patient-identifiable information must be excluded from AI training datasets. Patients should ask how AI compares to traditional methods and how their data is used.

(KevinMD, March 4, 2025)

2. Physicians say tech skills are now as vital as clinical expertise

According to a February 2025 Sermo survey, 81% of physicians believe that technical proficiency is equally important to employers as clinical expertise. This finding reflects a shift in expectations as physicians adapt to new technologies in modern medical practice.

The survey, published in Sermo’s 37th Barometer, also found that physicians spend an average of 22 personal hours per month learning about new healthcare technology. A Sermo medical advisory board member emphasized that physicians risk falling behind in providing optimal care without the ability to use advanced tools effectively. Combining technical skills with clinical training allows physicians to diagnose faster and treat more effectively.

The report highlights the growing emphasis on technology adoption in health care and the personal investment physicians make to stay current with digital tools.

(Medical Economics, March 7, 2025)

3. COVID-19 slowed entry of new doctors into rural practice

A recent study published in Medical Care reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly decreased the number of new physicians choosing to practice in rural areas, exacerbating existing healthcare access challenges in these communities.​

The study found that graduating residents and fellows received a nearly 2% increase in job offers during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, their perception of a favorable job market outlook decreased by almost 12%. Notably, the likelihood of new physicians entering rural practice declined from over 3% before the pandemic to just above 1% during the pandemic. Additionally, new primary care physicians faced a reduction in compensation during this period. ​

These findings suggest that the pandemic has disproportionately affected new primary care physicians, potentially worsening healthcare access in rural areas. The reduced interest in rural practice among new physicians may lead to further disparities in healthcare availability for these communities.

(Lippincott Journals, March 11, 2025)

4. AI expert warns of privacy, cost, and error risks in healthcare AI adoption

Dr. Ronald Rodriguez, program director of the first MD/MS in artificial intelligence dual degree in the US, is cautioning clinicians about the growing challenges tied to the use of generative AI in health care. In a March 2025 interview, he discussed risks involving protected health information (PHI), rising operational costs, and potential medical errors.

Rodriguez noted that many commercial large language models reuse uploaded prompts and data for future training. Clinical data entered into these tools may contain PHI in lab reports or notes, which, if not correctly removed, could result in a tier 2 HIPAA violation. He also pointed to the cost burden of using generative AI systems like DAX and Abridge. Since these costs are not billable to patients or third-party payers, physicians may be pressured to see more patients to offset the expense. 

Overreliance on AI for error correction, Rodriguez added, could introduce new mistakes due to issues like hallucinations. To address these concerns, he urged health systems to invest in infrastructure and work with organizations such as the AMA and AAMC to develop ethical policies and maintain accuracy. Major medical organizations, he said, should lead by providing templates and oversight frameworks for responsible AI use.

(HealthcareITNews.com, March 12, 2025)

5. Physicians’ sense of calling linked to reduced turnover intentions

Recent research shows that physicians who view medicine as a calling are less likely to leave their current roles. A strong sense of purpose was linked to reduced turnover intentions, highlighting the importance of meaning in long-term career satisfaction and organizational stability.

These insights also emphasize the importance of healthcare institutions supporting and reinforcing clinicians’ intrinsic motivations, which could lead to a more stable and committed medical staff.

(Staffing Industry Analysts, March 11, 2025)

6. States ease licensing for foreign-trained physicians to address doctor shortages

A growing number of states are implementing measures to facilitate the licensure of internationally trained doctors, aiming to mitigate physician shortages, particularly in rural areas.

Traditionally, all US states mandate that physicians who complete their residencies abroad undergo additional residency training within the US to obtain a medical license. However, since 2023, at least nine states have revised these requirements, allowing certain foreign-trained doctors to bypass repeating their residencies. Additionally, over a dozen other states are considering similar legislative changes.

Proponents believe these adjustments could alleviate physician shortages, especially in underserved rural regions. Nevertheless, skeptics argue that other licensing and hiring barriers might impede the effectiveness of these efforts. ​

(NPR, March 3, 2025)

7. Tax efficiency in retirement depends on investment type and account location

Retirement tax planning can be complex, particularly when forecasting tax liability across different investment accounts. In a recent discussion, White Coat Investor explored how various assets and account types affect tax outcomes over time.

Tax drag is the amount of capital gains that are decreased due to taxes on your investments. For high earners in the top tax bracket, this can reduce returns from 10% to as low as 6% annually, depending on the investment’s tax efficiency. Real estate debt funds, for example, are highly tax-inefficient, with all returns taxed at ordinary income rates. In contrast, Bitcoin was cited as a highly tax-efficient asset, with no distributions and long-term capital gains treatment upon sale. 

While exact forecasting is difficult, understanding the tax characteristics of different investment types and account locations is key to effective retirement planning.

(The White Coat Investor, March 13, 2025)

8. Hospital systems explore strategies to reduce burnout

As hospitals continue to experience staffing challenges, burnout remains a significant concern for hospitalists nationwide. Leaders and clinicians are exploring structured interventions to help reduce workload burdens and improve professional satisfaction.

According to Dr. O’Neil Pyke, chief medical officer at Jackson North Medical Center, “We have to get to the point of saying, ‘No, Dr., you’ve already seen 16 patients today, take some time to spend on some other activity.’” Key strategies mentioned in the article include optimizing staffing levels, investing in leadership development, building social and mentorship networks, and creating a workplace culture that empowers clinicians to escalate systemic issues. Large-scale studies are underway to determine appropriate clinical workloads and effective team structures.

While administrators work toward long-term solutions, the immediate strain of high patient volume and limited support continues to challenge providers. While burnout is being addressed symptomatically, systemic changes might be needed to help providers in the long term. 

(Today’s Hospitalist, March 19, 2025)