Artificial intelligence (AI) can positively impact the health care industry in more ways than one. AI has a wide range of applications, from robotic surgery assistance to remote monitoring of patients.
It seems as though new use cases for AI are emerging daily. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology is already helping improve patient outcomes and supporting a transition to a more interconnected health care system.
While most people think of AI as a thing of science fiction, AI experts believe that advanced technology can revolutionize many industries, health care being no exception.
Let’s discuss some of the specific ways AI is set to alter the health care industry and how its various uses will enhance patient care in health care facilities.
Benefits of Using AI in a Health Care Setting
The average person may not know just how life-changing AI is, especially when applied in hospitals, urgent care facilities, hospice care, and other health care institutions. While it’s challenging to list all of the ways AI will alter the health care industry, we can certainly look at current trends and how AI is already used today.
AI is becoming increasingly proficient in handling similar tasks that humans would typically do, but more efficiently, accurately, and at a lower cost. It’s estimated that AI implementation can cut annual health care costs by $150 billion in 2026, a significant figure driving AI adoption.
“The health care ecosystem is realizing the importance of AI-powered tools in the next-generation health care technology.“
A McKinsey Global Institute report shows us that 30% of activities associated with occupations in the United States could be automated — many of which are repetitive, mundane tasks. Because of this statistic, it’s clear that AI will inevitably find a place in the health care industry.
There are many benefits that AI brings to the table. Here are just a few:
- AI can contribute to predictive analysis by sorting through large data sets.
- AI can assist with automated, administrative tasks so health care professionals can spend more time delivering high-quality care to their patients.
- AI can support wearable technology to serve patients better and alert them to potential health issues and risks.
Now that we know some of the benefits of using AI, let’s explore some specific ways it’s changing the health care landscape for the better.
How Is AI Changing Health Care?
Because AI has so many use cases, it’s no wonder its implementation would disrupt the health care industry. Experts believe AI will help to transform the industry for the better.
“Future applications of AI in health care delivery, in the approach to innovation, and in how each of us thinks about our health, may be transformative.“
Let’s discuss the different elements of health care and how AI could enhance them.
Treatment
AI can assist medical professionals in many ways, including ways to engage in comprehensive disease management. AI-powered robotics already have a place in the industry, as they’ve been used for over 30 years.
Robotics can accomplish simple tasks or assist doctors during complex surgeries. They can be used in rehabilitation settings, physical therapy, and to support patients dealing with long-term health conditions.
Early Detection
AI is used today to help doctors detect infection early on and more accurately. For example, AI is capable of detecting infection 30 times faster than a human doctor and with 99% accuracy. This could inform human doctors on the best treatment options so they can take a holistic approach to patient care.
Early detection plays a significant role in treating conditions like infections, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Because these conditions can worsen over time, or have stages, detecting symptoms and diagnosing early on often leads to better patient outcomes.
Patient Engagement
One challenge health care professionals face is patient adherence. According to the CDC, one in five prescriptions written never gets filled, meaning patients are not following up with doctor recommendations regarding their treatment plan. Here is where AI comes in.
Using AI to personalize and tailor advanced treatment plans has the potential to improve patient adherence. Tools and resources on the market remind patients about their treatment plan by sending alerts or other content to encourage them to take action, like setting up a new appointment.
AI applications in health care can literally change patients’ lives, improving diagnostics and treatment and helping patients and health care providers make informed decisions quickly.
There’s no question that AI will improve internal health care processes. Doctors and other medical professionals should be willing to implement AI into their operations so the tech can complement existing protocols and procedures.
The Future of AI in Health Care
AI will carve out a place in the industry, and it’ll be interesting to see the impact it has on patient care. AI will likely revolutionize health care for both patients and doctors by lowering costs, improving productivity and efficiency, and providing more accurate testing.
