Artificial Intelligence and digital health technology are changing the face of healthcare. These technologies are helping to improve patient care, make medical treatments more effective, and speed up the research process. Research studies have shown that digital health technology can improve patient outcomes, lower costs, and increase efficiency. Besides, patients increasingly use digital health technology to manage their health. As a result, healthcare providers leverage these technologies to improve patient care. One of the also app for patient care that is Home Depot Health Check is a webpage app designed by Home Depot for associates and non-associated in the United States. There are no required phone/device.
A brief history of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare:
AI entered the healthcare industry in the early 1970s to diagnose diseases. MYCIN, the first AI-based diagnostic system developed in 1972, identified blood infections. In the 1980s, health experts used AI to develop predictive models of patient outcomes, which helped healthcare providers identify patients at risk for developing a particular disease or who were likely to respond to a specific treatment. It helped improve the efficiency of the healthcare system by targeting needy patients.
In the 1990s, AI technology enhanced the development of decision support systems to help healthcare providers decide the best course of treatment for their patients. Today, AI assists in developing machine-learning algorithms that can identify patterns in a patient’s data. It allows healthcare providers to predict the likelihood of a patient developing a particular disease or condition. The following are some of the ways that AI and digital health technology are changing healthcare:
1. Improved Patient Care
Digital health technology has enhanced the ability of healthcare providers to collect and track patient data and provide patients with targeted treatments that are specific to their needs. For example, digital health technology could follow a patient’s vital signs and medication history to create a personalized treatment plan for the patient.
Hospitals and healthcare providers also use digital health technology to improve patient communication through online tools such as secure messaging, video conferencing, and social media. These tools help patients to communicate with their healthcare providers easily and quickly. They improve patient satisfaction by providing a more convenient way for patients to get their questions answered.
2. Effective Medical Treatments
Healthcare providers use digital health technology to develop new treatments for diseases, including cancer and heart disease. On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence facilitates accurate diagnoses unavailable to humans because of the quantity and variety of data. Startups and tech continue developing machine-learning models used by hospitals for the early detection of diseases.
For example, DeepMind, a British AI firm, is working with the NHS to develop an AI system to diagnose eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, Tempus uses machine learning to create personalized cancer treatments. The firm has developed a software platform that allows doctors to collect and analyze patient data, including gene sequencing data, tumor pathology data, and treatment history. The information helps in developing a specialized treatment plan for the individual patient.
3. Improved Administrative Applications
Digital health technology automates the process of scheduling appointments to reduce the time that patients spend waiting for appointments. Additionally, AI technology assists in developing predictive analytics tools. These tools help healthcare providers identify patients at risk for developing a particular disease or who are likely to respond to treatment.
Hospitals use Chatbots in their administrative process of hospitals to communicate with patients and answer their questions about their progress. It improves patient satisfaction by providing a more convenient way of answering questions through AI. Machine learning has enhanced payment administration and claims adjudication. ML algorithms can accurately identify fraudulent or erroneous payments and claims, saving healthcare providers a lot of money. Besides, AI technology can optimize inventory and make purchase decisions for supplies and drugs, saving hospitals money by reducing the amount of money wasted on unnecessary supplies.
4. Networking of Hospitals
Digital health technology networks hospitals together for healthcare providers to share information and resources to improve the quality of care. For example, telemedicine connects patients with healthcare providers in other parts of the country. Therefore, patients receive care unavailable in their locality.
Additionally, hospitals are using digital health technology to develop electronic medical records (EMRs) to share patient information to improve the quality of care. The use of EMRs also helps to reduce the amount of paperwork that healthcare providers have to deal with. As a result, networked hospitals can provide patients with more efficient and higher-quality care.
5. Device Integration
Digital health technology facilitates the integration of devices into the healthcare system, helping patients to access their health information from anywhere in the world. For example, patients can use mobile apps to track their health information, including heart rate and blood pressure. It allows patients to manage their health, share their information, and communicate with their healthcare providers. Usage of wearables that collect health data shared between patients and doctors through AI-enabled Clinical Decision Support Systems continues to dominate the sector. The process has paved the way for a more proactive and personalized form of care.
Bottom Line
The above information paints a clear picture of how AI and digital health technology are changing healthcare for the better. In the future, the world should expect these technologies to become more sophisticated and widespread, improving patient care and saving lives in the process.
