The Role of AI in Healthcare

 

The Role of AI in Solving the Issues of Accessibility and Affordability in Healthcare

In today's rapidly changing world, the healthcare industry is facing numerous challenges, including accessibility and affordability. The good news is that artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool to address these issues and revolutionize healthcare.

During the pandemic, consumer know-how and interest in healthcare increased dramatically. The providers of healthcare recognised the impact of technology in the sector. Gone are the days when we had to explain the importance of tele-medicine to the doctors,”

Another major challenge to adapt technology is the belief that all ailments, big or small, require a visit to the doctor.

Based on our data, less than 10 percent of our ailments require a physical visit to the doctor for them to make a diagnosis. Only over time do people start realising that there is no need to visit the doctor for everything. With technology, people can stay at home, get simple medical examinations done through their phone and get the proper diagnosis and solutions”

 Almost 90 percent of the time during a doctor’s visit is spent in assessing the symptoms and medical history of the patient which can get redundant and carries the potential of human error during diagnosis. “So we thought, what if this entire investigative process is put into a machine that would record all the medical history, symptoms and provide the analysed information to the doctor, that too repeatedly for multiple patients and without any errors? Therefore, AI can only go hand-in-hand with the doctors, assist them and not replace them, no matter how advanced it gets,”

Accessibility

One of the major issues in healthcare is the lack of accessibility, especially for individuals in remote areas or those with limited mobility. AI can bridge this gap by enabling remote consultations and telemedicine. With AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, patients can receive medical advice, schedule appointments, and access vital information without leaving their homes.

AI can also streamline the process of obtaining medical records and sharing them between healthcare providers. This eliminates the need for patients to carry physical copies of their records and ensures that healthcare professionals have access to complete and up-to-date information.

Affordability

Another significant challenge in healthcare is the rising cost of medical treatments. AI can help reduce healthcare expenses by optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and facilitating preventive care. For example, AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of patient data to identify patterns and predict diseases at an early stage. This enables healthcare providers to intervene proactively and prevent costly complications.

AI can also assist in personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to individual patients based on their genetic makeup and medical history. By optimizing treatment plans and avoiding unnecessary procedures, AI can save both patients and healthcare systems valuable resources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by solving the issues of accessibility and affordability. With AI-powered technologies, individuals can access healthcare services remotely and at a lower cost. Furthermore, AI can improve patient outcomes by optimizing treatments and providing personalized care. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, AI will play an increasingly significant role in making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all.