Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is transforming the workforce, significantly affecting various professions. This systematic review aimed to identify the health professions most vulnerable to AI-driven automation and job replacement, focusing on roles with repetitive and predictable tasks. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, applying inclusion criteria that targeted peer-reviewed studies evaluating the impact of AI on automation and workforce displacement in healthcare professions. A total of 56 studies were included, analyzed using a PRISMA approach. The findings revealed that radiology, nursing, pathology, and administrative roles are the most impacted due to their reliance on tasks highly amenable to AI automation, such as medical imaging analysis, patient monitoring, and data entry. However, professions requiring complex decision-making and critical thinking, such as surgery, showed lower vulnerability. Despite these risks, the review underscores that AI is unlikely to replace healthcare professionals entirely but will reshape roles, emphasizing the need for human oversight, empathy, and adaptability. To mitigate these challenges, healthcare systems must prioritize continuous education and workforce training to integrate AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement. Policymakers and educational institutions should focus on ethical considerations, skill redefinition, and sustainable adaptation strategies for professionals in at-risk fields.