What if your emergency department could predict admissions at triage, automatically flag high-risk patients in real time, and tell families exactly when they’ll be seen – before a clinician ever walks into the room?
In this second interview in our AI series, I sit down with Dr. Jason Fischer, Division Head of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at SickKids | The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, to break down how AI is already transforming pediatric emergency care. From AI-driven patient flow and precision wait times, to proactive safety systems that identify high-risk patients during surges, to a future where physicians may evolve into “pioneers, guardians, and stewards,” this conversation goes well beyond theory into what’s actually happening – and what’s coming next.
Dr. Fisher offers a rare systems-level view of AI in action, along with a candid discussion of the challenges ahead, including regulation, safety, and the risks of becoming too dependent on centralized AI platforms. Check out the video interview and audio-only version below!
If you missed the first interview in this series, you can check it out here.
Audio Podcast:
Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Emergency Medicine | Dr. Jason Fischer on How AI Is Reshaping the ER – Doctors Are People Too
In this conversation, Dr. Jason Fisher (Division Head of Emergency Medicine at SickKids | The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto) breaks down how artificial intelligence is already being implemented in the pediatric emergency department – and what it means for the future of care delivery. We explore real-world applications of AI across emergency department operations, including predicting patient volumes and admissions at triage, improving patient flow, identifying high-risk patients in real time, and enhancing both provider and patient experience. Dr. Fisher outlines a practical framework for thinking about AI in layers – from operations and workflow to clinical decision-making and longitudinal care. Looking ahead, we discuss the major challenges facing AI integration in pediatric emergency medicine, including regulation, safety, and the growing dependence on centralized AI platforms. Dr. Fisher also shares a compelling vision for the future physician, describing how roles may evolve into “pioneers, guardians, and stewards” in an AI-driven healthcare system. Check out the video conversation and additional AI and Pediatric Emergency Medicine content at http://www.HipPEMcrates.com
- Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Emergency Medicine | Dr. Jason Fischer on How AI Is Reshaping the ER
- Measles is Back: The Experts Tell You What You Need to Know
- Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Emergency Medicine | A Conversation with Dr. Selin Sagalowsky
- Mass Casualty 101: Real-Life ER Disaster Planning with Dr. Matt Harris
- Inside THE PITT: A Deep Dive into TV’s Realest ER Drama with Actor Patrick Ball (Dr. Frank Langdon) and Medical Consultant Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah
Dr. Joshua Belfer, MD, is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of HipPEMcrates. He can be reached at HipPEMcrates@gmail.com.
