dr Jan HerzhoffPresident (Healthcare Markets) of the Global Analytics and Information Group Elsevier India recently participated in a global conference on digital health. In an interview with Vikas Dandekar of ET Healthworld, Herzhoff spoke about the expected transformation in the use of AI and how almost 80 percent of doctors in India can use artificial intelligence tools in the next 2-3 years. Here are some excerpts:
ET Healthworld: Elsevier is among the prestigious names in global scientific journals. How has it been?
Was it developed in India?
Dr. Herzhoff: Elsevier is part of RELAXone of the five largest companies in the United Kingdom. We are a global information and analytics company focused on academic and corporate researchers, physicians, medical students, and educators. Our clinical support extends to doctors, nurses and pharmacists, assisting them in decision-making and patient outcomes. We have been around for over 140 years, originally focusing on academic and medical content, but have evolved to include artificial intelligence solutions. India is very important to us: it has almost 2,000 employees, out of 8,000 worldwide, based in Gurugram, Chennai and Bengaluru.
ET Healthworld: In the current healthcare landscape in India, how do you see doctors adapting to digital advancements and how does Elsevier figure in this transformation?
Dr. Herzhoff: Our latest report on AI contains some interesting ideas. Globally, about 26 percent of doctors use AI in decision-making, but in India it is only about 12 percent, compared to 35 percent in the United States and China. However, there is a lot of enthusiasm for AI tools: 79 percent of Indian doctors expect to use AI tools in the next 2-3 years, higher than the global average of 66 percent. A key aspect of this transition is medical education. While around 62 per cent of medical students globally are enthusiastic about adopting new technologies, in India it is 73 per cent. The key is to prepare current and future doctors for these new technologies, especially with the rapid growth of medical schools and hospitals in India. It is a challenge to maintain the quality of education while adopting new technologies. That’s why we’ve been talking to hospital leaders in Delhi and Mumbai to discuss how to equip doctors for these changes. We need to ensure that they do not simply adopt AI tools recklessly, but rather use them responsibly.
The future of AI in the Indian healthcare sector looks very promising. Many clinicians are eager to begin using AI tools in the coming years, and as these tools become more integrated into clinical workflows, we expect to see significant improvements in patient care and overall efficiency. But this transition will require continued education and training, so doctors have the skills they need to make the most of AI and use it responsibly. By fostering a culture that values learning and innovation, Indian healthcare professionals can unlock the full potential of AI and transform the way
attention is delivered.
ET Healthworld: What specific challenges do you see for the adoption of AI in the clinical space in India and how can they be addressed to avoid potential risks?Dr. Herzhoff: A major concern is accessibility to “reliable, quality content.” Clinicians must understand where information comes from to ensure responsible use in patient care. Many existing AI models, especially large language models, function as closed-book exams: they provide information but lack transparency about the sources. This can lead to errors and misinformation, which poses risks to patient safety. At Elsevier, we focus on creating an experience with our AI solutions. For example, our tools reference high-quality, trusted content, allowing clinicians to track information sources. According to our survey, 73 percent of doctors would only use AI tools if they are based on verified content. Additionally, we engage around 200 subject matter experts to continually evaluate and update our systems to ensure reliability. Localized content is another critical factor. India has unique medical conditions and practices that need to be reflected in AI tools. We have collaborated with Indian experts to develop content that aligns with local guidelines and practices. Finally, there is the question of cost. While each AI query incurs costs, it is critical to make these tools accessible to ensure widespread adoption and impact.
ET Healthworld: Can you explain how Elsevier approaches the issue of responsible AI?
Dr. Herzhoff: Elsevier adheres to five guiding principles for the responsible use of AI to ensure our solutions are safe and effective, particularly in the healthcare space. These principles include considering the real-world impact of our solutions, focusing on reducing bias and promoting transparency, and maintaining human oversight in content curation and evaluation. We also maintain strict privacy standards and remind physicians not to enter personal patient information into artificial intelligence systems. Following these guidelines, Elsevier aims to offer AI tools that doctors can trust.
ET Healthworld: How does India compare globally in terms of adoption of digital health technologies and what is Elsevier’s vision for its future presence in the country?
Dr. Herzhoff: India occupies a unique position globally when it comes to digital adoption in healthcare. While the adoption rate is still developing, there is significant potential. We support doctors and medical professionals in India throughout their journey, whether they prefer traditional textbooks, advanced databases, virtual reality simulationseither AI-enabled tools. We see a strong alignment between India’s needs and our capabilities, making it a vital market for us. The key elements for successful adoption in India are trust, transparency and relevance. We have worked hard to include protocols and localized content in our products, making them more applicable to the Indian context.
eastern time Healthworld: In what specific areas do you think AI will have the most significant impact on healthcare?
Dr. Herzhoff: AI has the potential to make a real difference in addressing the challenges physicians face when searching for information. Right now, many doctors spend about 30 minutes searching for answers to clinical questions and often struggle to find what they need. Our artificial intelligence tools can drastically reduce that time and offer immediate and well-referenced responses. This type of point-of-care decision support not only streamlines clinical workflows but also improves patient outcomes. By quickly getting the right information, AI allows healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care rather than time-consuming searches.
ET Healthworld: What role does human oversight play in implementing AI in healthcare?
Dr. Herzhoff: Human oversight is critical when it comes to integrating AI into healthcare. Clinicians are vital in validating AI-generated recommendations for accurate and appropriate outcomes for patients. Our AI solutions are designed to help doctors, not replace them. The idea is to combine the efficiency of AI with the experience and judgment of health professionals, so that they can make better-informed decisions while still having full control of patient care.
