Generative AI in Healthcare: Five keys to unlock real impact

The healthcare sector is entering a new phase of digital transformation, with generative AI (GenAI) rapidly gaining ground. From patient interaction to clinical decision-making, the potential is enormous. Yet for many organisations, turning that potential into meaningful outcomes remains a challenge.

Spain and Europe are moving fast. Recent EU data shows that health systems and life sciences organisations across Europe are accelerating adoption of AI technologies. But while experimentation is widespread, true transformation demands a more strategic, human-centred and systemic approach.

Xavier Lesauvage, Senior Partner of he Hub's member SDLI Innovation Agency has identified five key levers that can help health organisations—be they hospitals, pharma companies, medtechs, or start-ups—move from isolated pilots to real, scalable impact.

• Identify high-impact use cases for health outcomes

Rather than applying GenAI indiscriminately, success lies in identifying those use cases where it can improve patient outcomes, clinical efficiency, or system sustainability.

Several hospitals in Spain are using GenAI to support triage and documentation in emergency care, enabling faster and more accurate patient prioritisation. By integrating language models into its EHR system, the hospital reduces time spent on manual input while improving the quality of clinical records—freeing up professionals to focus on care.

Focusing on use cases aligned with care delivery or patient engagement is the first step towards real transformation.

• From pilots to strategy: Institutional commitment

Too many initiatives remain stuck in the "pilot trap". To generate real value, GenAI must be aligned with strategic goals—whether related to prevention, chronic disease management, or clinical research.

One health organisation is embedding GenAI into its digital health strategy, integrating it into existing tools used by professionals. For example, AI now supports the creation of educational content and treatment summaries adapted to each patient, improving communication and adherence. This is no longer an IT experiment—it's a strategic lever for better outcomes and experience.

• Rethink productivity and new health delivery models

GenAI isn't just a tool for making existing workflows faster—it can enable new service models in healthcare.

A digital mental health platform in Germany, for instance, has integrated GenAI to offer personalised therapeutic content and coach-like interactions between sessions. This hybrid model allows professionals to monitor and support more patients without compromising quality, while improving continuity of care.

These models hint at a new healthcare delivery paradigm—more personalised, more scalable, and more proactive.

• Equip professionals: GenAI needs trained minds

Any successful AI implementation in health depends on one key factor: people. Without the engagement and understanding of professionals, even the best technology will fail.

SDLI is currently working on an initiative with a large pharmaceutical company to train healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the safe and effective use of GenAI. The aim is to improve their ability to access, process, and communicate complex information to patients, with an emphasis on clinical accuracy, empathy and efficiency. The programme combines awareness, hands-on training and real-world use cases.

Empowering professionals is not an add-on—it's a core success factor.

• Build ecosystems, Not silos

Healthcare innovation rarely happens in isolation. GenAI adoption is faster and more impactful when ecosystem partnerships are activated.

In Catalonia, for example, several public-private consortia are working on AI projects that bring together hospitals, universities, start-ups and tech providers. These alliances help share risks, accelerate validation, and ensure that solutions meet both technical and clinical standards. The Barcelona Health Hub itself is a key node in this ecosystem, fostering trust and collaboration.

Whether scaling up a pilot or launching a new solution, partnering smartly is often the fastest route to impact.

Final thought: Move with purpose and responsibility

Generative AI will not replace professionals, but professionals who use GenAI well may outpace those who don't.

Now is the time for bold yet thoughtful action.

Health organisations that approach GenAI with clarity, vision and commitment—focused on outcomes, enabled by people and powered by partnerships—will lead the way in shaping a more intelligent, equitable, and human-centred healthcare system.

Xavier Lesauvage is Senior Partner at SDLI Innovation Agency, based at Barcelona & Madrid Health Hub. SDLI helps health and life sciences organisations design and implement innovation and digital transformation strategies with measurable impact.