With the ever-evolving health industry, patient engagement is becoming an increasingly pressing trend. Organizations are striving to regain the trust of patients and to adapt to new care settings and more consumer-focused approaches. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the adoption of technology and digitization has drastically changed the world of healthcare, enabling patients with more personalized care delivery options. In this blog, we will explore the top healthcare use cases in 2023 that have led to improved patient outcomes.
Use Case 1: Enhancing the Patient Experience
It is widely accepted that patient experience is a top priority in the healthcare industry, and technology has been a huge help in this regard. Automation, AI applications in healthcare, and digitization are the tools that will make this a reality. Innovations such as generative AI and natural language understanding will help to vastly improve the patient experience. For example, a virtual assistant chatbot can provide medical advice to patients without them having to leave their homes, especially in rural or poor communities. A great example of this is the chatbot Saal has developed for Abu Dhabi’s healthcare authority.
Use Case 2: Avoiding Unnecessary Medication or Surgery
Human error in diagnoses can sometimes lead to unnecessary surgeries or medication, which can be costly and difficult for the patient. Predictive analytics can help identify patients at risk of diseases that may necessitate specific surgeries or medication. This approach allows for early case detection, giving time for proper treatment planning, exploring alternatives to surgery, and preparing for the surgery if it is unavoidable. ConsumerMedical has implemented predictive analytics to identify patients who are most likely to require surgery, to give them an early advantage to consider medication instead.
Use Case 3: Dementia Detection Using iPhone
A study conducted by the NCBI in 2018 showed that one in three children born after 2015 are likely to suffer from dementia. Early detection is key to help parents identify potential onset of dementia in their children and to avoid the financial burden associated with treatment. A cognitive assessment test developed by Cognetivity Neurosciences can be taken on an iOS device such as an iPhone to detect early signs of dementia. This assessment uses algorithms to cluster performance based on accuracy, response time, and other response factors, to detect the signs and other mental impairments.
Use Case 4: Early Heart Disease Detection
Detecting heart murmurs can be very difficult when using a stethoscope. These heart murmurs can indicate potential heart failure or diseases, and early detection and diagnosis can save lives. Eko AI has developed an algorithm to accurately identify sounds associated with aortic stenosis (AS) with a 97% accuracy rate. Wearable devices can also help detect anomalies by tracking heart rates in real-time.
In conclusion, AI applications in healthcare have had a huge impact on patient care and outcomes in 2023. As technology continues to develop, AI will become increasingly involved in improved and informed patient outcomes.
