The role of agentic artificial intelligence in healthcare: a scoping review

Abstract Agentic AI represents a promising evolution of artificial intelligence in healthcare, with systems capable of operating autonomously to achieve defined clinical goals. However, the literature lacks conceptual clarity in distinguishing AI agents from Agentic AI, and few studies have rigorously explored their applications. We conducted a scoping review across five databases, identifying seven eligible studies spanning emergency medicine, oncology, radiology, and rehabilitation. The included systems demonstrated features such as autonomous operation, goal-directed behavior, action initiation, and, in some cases, multi-agent collaboration. Reported outcomes included high accuracy in cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, alert generation, coaching, and workflow optimization. Despite promising results, most studies were exploratory, limited in scope, and lacked robust clinical validation, with only one trial involving patients. These findings highlight both the potential and immaturity of Agentic AI in healthcare, underscoring the need for standardized definitions, regulatory guidance, and rigorous evaluation to ensure safe and effective integration into practice.