The growth and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors worldwide has been remarkable, and healthcare is no exception. As we navigate our way through the 21st century, we find ourselves more prone to technological revolution. AI is transforming the healthcare landscape, enabling efficient decision making and smarter implementation. However, the adoption of AI in healthcare has just begun.
Less than 10% of organizations have been leveraging AI for every half a decade. Yet the positive result towards AI is noteworthy, as 40% of Americans believe that AI in healthcare can reduce the occurrence of medical errors, and about 45% of global healthcare services have embraced data integration software. North America currently leads the global AI in healthcare market with a share of 591%, but the technological revolution is a global phenomenon.
What Role Does AI Play in Healthcare
Without doubt, AI has the potential to improve every aspect of healthcare. AI can help scientific discovery and help physicians and nurses make better decisions regarding the healthcare of patients. This has proved to be a useful function for many healthcare businesses.
However, the pandemic was quite devastating for us. Everyone was worried and conscious about their lives, and even the simplest tasks took a lot of time. These simple tasks are mostly
administrative processes, such as documentation, but implementing AI tools for automation was a game changer, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the reports.
Who are the key players in AI healthcare?
There are many AI-powered companies leading the revolution of healthcare in this new age, applying AI to solve some of healthcare’s most difficult problems.
Arteries uses imaging technology to simplify diagnosis of heart defects in newborns and children, while Google Health is developing AI models like Med-paLM 2 for healthcare.
Another AI-powered company, Butterfly Network, makes ultrasound scans more accessible to underserved communities with its hand-held whole-body imager and AI image interpreter.
The work is quite impressive.
Advantages of integrating AI into patient care
Let’s investigate the most widely known benefits of AI that we see in clinical practice today
Improved Clinical Diagnostics
During diagnosis, doctors consider factors like the patient’s history, symptoms, and laboratory test results. There’s a lot to think through, and sometimes there are situations where the diagnosis isn’t accurate. It’s a complex process, and sometimes, despite their best efforts, doctors might not get it right. Artificial intelligence helps healthcare professionals organize, categorize, and use this information effectively for better diagnoses.
For example, Google and Verily have developed a machine learning algorithm to assist in the screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular oedema (DME), two leading causes of preventable blindness in adults. It allows doctors to dedicate more time to patient treatment and management.
Early disease detection
By leveraging predictive analytics, AI algorithms identify individuals who are at high risk of disease onset or progression, enabling early intervention. This is very critical because many diseases can be cured if detected in their earlier stages.
For example, lung cancer has a significantly higher chance of successful treatment when detected early. According to the World Health Organisation, lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers worldwide. Lung cancer is responsible for over 1.7 million deaths globally each year. Google Health has developed an AI model that detects 5% more cancer cases and reduces false positives by over 11% compared to radiologists. The AI model can analyze and identify CT scans in 3D to identify overall lung cancer malignancy.
Personalized Treatment Plans
The process of analyzing personalized treatment plans for everyone can become a reality. A personalized treatment plan is a strategy created just for you. AI algorithms have the capability to analyze vast amounts of patient data, including medical history, genetic makeup, lifestyle choices, and other factors, to develop highly personalized treatment plans. This patient-centric approach can significantly improve the effectiveness of treatments and enhance overall healthcare outcomes.
For example, Woebot Health developed a chatbot that uses AI to help patients manage health issues. The chatbot engages with patients in natural language conversations, helping them to manage symptoms and provide emotional support.
Medical Imaging Analysis
AI algorithms are trained on large datasets of medical images (such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and histopathology slides) to accurately detect and classify abnormalities. Deep learning models in particular can identify patterns and features indicative of specific diseases, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses.
A great example of this is using machine learning to analyze MRI images of brain tumors. It could take up to 40 minutes to classify brain tumors using traditional methods. But now we can do it in just a few minutes. This not only saves time, but the results are more accurate and precise.
Automating Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
The benefits of artificial intelligence in healthcare can also help automate and improve various parts of the healthcare industry, including revenue cycle management (RCM). A recent survey involving leaders from U.S. hospitals and health systems revealed that nearly 74% are actively automating parts of their revenue cycle operations.
The quiet revolution of robotics in healthcare.
By using this innovative AI technology, surgeons can now perform intricate operations with better control and accuracy.Now, with the help of robotics, surgeons can now have the ability to customize operations for every patient. Since the procedure will be customized on such a level, patients can ensure better results and fewer problems.
Let’s Read Further About The Promising Future Of Robotic Surgery
Enhanced Accessibility: When it comes to robotic surgery, now more and more people will have easier access to advanced surgical care as robotic surgery becomes more widely used.
Shorter stays at the hospital
Patients will no longer have to stay in the hospital for a longer period of time as operations are done in a way by robots that does not cause much pain to the patient, and the operation is likely to complete in very little time because, with the help of robots, it does not require many stitches.
Cost-effective Care
The initial investment in a robotic surgery system can be a large amount, but the long-term cost effectiveness is very significant. Reduced Complications: The ability to customize procedures will reduce the risk of complications, thereby improving overall patient safety.
What patients fear about AI in healthcare
Americans face fear when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence because 60% of Americans in a study felt uncomfortable with a doctor using AI.Because people are so far not aware of the benefits of AI, and these fears come from the lack of information on the technology.
The majority of the public is unconvinced that the implementation of AI in health and medicine would improve health outcomes. The Pew Research Centre survey finds that only 38% say AI being used to do things like diagnose disease and recommend treatments would lead to better health outcomes for patients, while 33% say it would lead to the worst result and 27% say it wouldn’t make much difference.
However, on the positive side, Americans think the use of AI would reduce the mistakes that are made by healthcare providers for patients. Yet, the utmost concern is that the security of patients’ records would be at risk due to the implementation of AI, compared to 22% who think it would improve security.
Concern over the adoption of AI
Among men, 46% say they would be comfortable with the use of AI, while 54% say they would be uncomfortable with this implementation. Whereas, 66% say they would be uncomfortable relying on AI in their own care.
What is the biggest challenge facing American healthcare?
People across the world face many challenges when it comes to healthcare, because the ultimate problem is access to good healthcare facilities. In some areas, especially rural places, there are not enough doctors or hospitals nearby. In countries like the United States, even with insurance, healthcare can be very expensive
.
For example, someone with a mental health illness like schizophrenia might be unable to purchase their medications because it’s too expensive, as a result that can make their condition even worse.
Administrative Delays
Most of the time, what happens is that while scheduling the process of surgeries, getting approvals, and preparing for the operation takes a lot of time due to delays in paperwork.
How Can AI Solve This Problem?
Government and Regulatory Support
Governments in both the USA and Canada are providing money to support research on how AI can be used in healthcare for betterment. This funding helps a lot to those scientists because healthcare providers develop new AI tools that can improve patient care.
For example, the U.S. government offers funding through agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to launch the “Bridge2AI” initiative for projects that use AI to create new ways of treating diseases.
AI in Research and Drug Development
AI is capable of identifying and analyzing vast amounts of data from clinical and medical research; however, potential new drug or treatment methods are helping researchers in Canada and the USA to develop new treatments and drugs faster.
For example, in the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for integrating AI tools used in healthcare, and the FDA developed guidelines for the development of AI, keeping in mind that these tools improve patient care without compromising safety.
Telemedicine: AI is used in telemedicine platforms to improve remote patient care by implementing virtual consultations; AI can provide doctors with diagnostic support; and it also helps manage patient records by analyzing patient data.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when person visits were restricted, telemedicine became particularly important.
Managing Chronic Disease
For people who have been suffering from diseases like diabetes or heart disease, AI can help monitor conditions in real time, as AI can help reduce human errors by double checking doctors’ decisions and ensuring that patients receive proper medications and treatments.
Streamlining Administrative Tasks
AI can fasten the paperwork by speeding up the process before a surgery, as AI can easily automate the paperwork coordination needed for speeding up the process. According to a Morgan Stanley report released in August, 94% of the healthcare companies surveyed said they are now employing artificial intelligence or machine learning in some capacity.
High spending expected
The global healthcare market is ready to spend $20.9 billion on artificial intelligence this year, according to a MarketsandMarkets study released in January. As per the reports, artificial intelligence within the global health care space will increase to more than $148 billion by 2029
Final thoughts
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare in the USA and Canada by analyzing and making medical care more efficient, accurate, and personalized. AI helps predict health issues before they become much more serious, as AI helps doctors diagnose diseases way faster than doctors and implement treatment plans according to patients needs.
Now that you have these strategies at your fingertips, it’s time to put them into action.
Leave a Reply