Russia Equips Paramedics With AI to Tackle Doctor Shortages

Facing a nationwide physician deficit, Russia is turning to artificial intelligence to help paramedics provide high-quality care.

Russian healthcare experts are proposing a new strategy to address the country’s ongoing doctor shortage: arm paramedics with artificial intelligence tools. According to Dr. Guzel Ulumbekova, a medical scientist and rector of the Higher School of Healthcare Organization and Management, modern AI systems—powered by national medical knowledge bases—can enable mid-level medical personnel to make faster, more accurate decisions in diagnosing and treating patients.

“A paramedic can ask a complex question and, based on clinical guidelines, receive a verified answer on what to do next,” Ulumbekova explained in a radio interview with Moscow-based station Govorit Moskva.

The proposal has gained urgency after the Russian Health Ministry issued a new order that, starting September 1, allows paramedics and midwives to temporarily assume the duties of general practitioners, pediatricians, and gynecologists. Medical facility directors will have the authority to reassign responsibilities when physician shortages arise.

Deploying AI tools in this context not only lightens the load on paramedics but also boosts the quality of care, especially in rural or remote areas where the lack of doctors is most acute. The move underscores Russia’s broader push toward digitizing its healthcare system.