Will AI replace Cardiologists?

AI can do 53% of the work Cardiologists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 3 of their 26 tasks, while 7 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 2 physical tasks. 14 still need a person.

AI is already doing this3 · 25% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Obtain and record patient information, including patient identification, medical history, and examination results.Mostly assisted12% of time
  • Diagnose medical conditions of patients, using records, reports, test results, or examination information.Mostly assisted8% of time
  • Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.Mostly automated6% of time

AI could do this next7 · 28% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Design and explain treatment plans, based on patient information such as medical history, reports, and examination results.8% of time
  • Talk to other physicians about patients to create a treatment plan.6% of time
  • Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, or disease prevention.4% of time
  • Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standards to identify abnormalities, using the results of an echocardiogram.4% of time
  • Order medical tests, such as echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and angiograms.4% of time
  • Conduct research to develop or test medications, treatments, or procedures that prevent or control disease or injury.2% of time
  • Recommend surgeons or surgical procedures.1% of time

Robots can technically do this2 · 3% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Observe ultrasound display screen, and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, and cerebral circulation.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Inject contrast media into patients' blood vessels.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person14 · 44% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Monitor patients' conditions and progress, and reevaluate treatments, as necessary.8% of time
  • Answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being.5% of time
  • Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.5% of time
  • Diagnose cardiovascular conditions, using cardiac catheterization.5% of time
  • Perform vascular procedures, such as balloon angioplasty and stents.4% of time
  • Prescribe heart medication to treat or prevent heart problems.4% of time
  • Administer emergency cardiac care for life-threatening heart problems, such as cardiac arrest and heart attack.3% of time
  • Supervise or train cardiology technologists or students.3% of time
  • Conduct exercise electrocardiogram tests to monitor cardiovascular activity under stress.2% of time
  • Monitor patient progress following cardiac surgery.2% of time
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast-enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.2% of time
  • Perform minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as implanting pacemakers and defibrillators.2% of time
  • Calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.1% of time
  • Conduct tests of the pulmonary system, using a spirometer or other respiratory testing equipment.under 1% of time

Your week is not the average

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What this means

AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 19 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Do the 3 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 7 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 2 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 14 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Anesthesiologists38%Dermatologists34%Emergency Medicine Physicians64%Family Medicine Physicians58%General Internal Medicine Physicians39%Neurologists67%

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