From Semi-Automation to Full Automation: YunTech Partners with NCKU Engineering and Douliu Branch of NCKU Hospital to Redesign Healthcare Workflows with AI

The use of generative AI in healthcare is rapidly gaining attention, yet for many medical professionals, integrating these tools into daily work remains a challenge. Supported by the Healthy Taiwan Deepening Project, the Center for Educational Technology, College of Humanities and Sciences, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech), the Department of Engineering Science at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), and the Douliu Branch of NCKU Hospital have launched a two-year collaborative program titled “Empowering Future Healthcare: Digital Literacy and AI Microlearning Initiative”.

The program aims to first train hospital staff to use generative AI tools for daily tasks in the first year, and then guide them in building fully automated workflows in the second year.

Clear Roles in the Program

• Douliu Branch of NCKU Hospital: Provides real clinical and administrative settings to ensure training aligns with actual needs.

• NCKU Engineering Science Team (Prof. Huang Yue-Min): Implements technical planning, integrating automation technologies such as n8n, MCP (Model Context Protocol), and Skills.

• YunTech Center for Educational Technology (Director Prof. Wu Ting-Ting): Designs the curriculum to translate technical content into practical training for medical personnel.

Addressing Administrative Burden in Healthcare

Medical staff spend significant time on repetitive administrative tasks, from summarizing medical records to preparing reports and handover documents. The program addresses this by creating a two-stage learning path:

1. Semi-Automation (Year 1): Staff learn to work with AI.

2. Full Automation (Year 2): Staff learn to design workflows where AI operates independently.

Dr. He Zong-Xian, Director of Douliu Branch, emphasized that administrative workload often limits time for patient care. The program provides structured AI training so staff can reclaim time for clinical work.

Year 1: Digital Literacy and Semi-Automation

• Curriculum covers foundational concepts of generative AI, including large language models, prompt writing, and AI applications in healthcare.

• Hands-on practice includes tools like Gemini, Claude, and NotebookLM for tasks such as document summarization, report drafting, meeting note organization, and knowledge base creation.

• Objective: Allow staff to experience efficiency gains firsthand.

Prof. Wu Ting-Ting notes that the key in the first year is building trust, emphasizing AI as a “co-pilot” rather than a replacement. Staff quickly realize tasks that previously took 30 minutes can now be done in minutes.

Year 2: Building Fully Automated Workflows

• Staff use n8n automation platform, MCP, and Skills to connect AI tools into comprehensive automated workflows.

• Example: When a triggering event occurs, the system automatically retrieves data, processes it via AI, generates a document, and delivers it to designated staff without manual intervention.

• Goal: Transition from “using AI to help me” to “designing workflows for AI to run independently.”

Prof. Huang Yue-Min highlights the flexibility of the chosen tools, allowing adaptation to different departmental workflows without programming knowledge. Dr. Li Xin-You emphasizes that linking the two-year curriculum is key: the first year motivates staff to use AI, and the second year empowers them to design automated processes, boosting long-term operational efficiency.

Significance and Outlook

With multiple medical centers in Taiwan adopting generative AI, digital transformation is moving from concept to action. However, many regional hospitals struggle with how to start and how to train internal talent. This collaboration provides a complete model from curriculum design, technology integration, to field implementation, serving as a reference for other healthcare institutions seeking digital transformation.

Event Highlights

• Dr. Li Xin-You presenting AI implementation strategies and benefits

• Signing of the cooperation memorandum between YunTech and NCKU Douliu Hospital

• Group photos of YunTech and hospital representatives witnessing the collaboration milestone

Organizing Unit: Institute of Technical and Vocational Education Research
Director: Liu Wei-De
Contact Person: Wu Yu-Tzu (Assistant to Prof. Wu Ting-Ting)
Tel: +886-5-534-2601 ext. 3409

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