Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, but only if clinicians know how to use it. That’s why prof. dr. Niels van Royen, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in Nijmegen, is committed to giving his team the opportunity to build AI skills through the Biomedical AI Bootcamp by exquAIro.
“AI is everywhere today, also in healthcare, but the actual uptake is still limited,” Van Royen explains. “One important reason is simply a lack of knowledge among medical professionals about how to use it effectively. Unknown makes unloved, and that certainly applies here.”
Closing the knowledge gap
With around 400 employees in his cardiology department, including 30 medical specialists, Van Royen sees both enthusiasm and hesitation when it comes to implementing AI in daily practice. He believes training is key to bridging that gap.
“Innovation and research in AI are getting a lot of attention, and in that sense Radboudumc is definitely ahead of the curve,” he says. “But implementation on the work floor lags behind. You start to see a divide between those who understand AI and those who don’t. That’s not the direction we want to go. We need a broad base across the organisation, and for that you need pioneers and ambassadors who can lead the way.”
One of those ambassadors, cardiologist Judith Bonnes, has started the Biomedical AI Bootcamp of exquAIro this fall. “It’s not easy to free people from the clinic for several weeks,” Van Royen admits. “The workload in healthcare is high. But even enabling one person to take part is already a big step and hopefully, more will follow.”
“You start to see a divide between those who understand AI and those who don’t. That’s not the direction we want to go.”
Niels van Royen
A new basic skill
For Van Royen, AI literacy is becoming as fundamental as computer or language skills. “Being able to work with AI will soon be as essential as speaking English or knowing how to use a computer,” he says. “Every department will need people who understand these tools and can bring others along.”
He also emphasises the ‘culture’ aspect: fostering curiosity and confidence among medical staff. “It’s about creating believers,” he says with a smile. “We need to reduce the scepticism, without ignoring legitimate concerns like privacy and reliability, and help people see how AI can truly improve patient care.”
Strengthening research and collaboration
Beyond clinical applications, Van Royen sees AI as a way to strengthen research proposals and build national networks among young medical professionals. “AI is a very popular topic in research right now. Having a solid understanding of what’s possible really helps when writing grant applications,” he explains. “And the Bootcamp also connects people, building a national network of clinicians and researchers who speak the same language and can collaborate on new ideas.”
Looking ahead
While only one team member has joined the current Bootcamp edition, Van Royen hopes this will be the start of something bigger. “I hope Judith Bonnes comes back full of enthusiasm,” he says. “That’s how it starts: one person learns, inspires others, and before long it becomes part of how we all work.”
Learn more?
Want to learn more about the exquAIro bootcamps? Check out more on our website.