Siddharth Singh Nirvana, Co-Founder & CTO, CoverYou talks about the role of AI in healthcare sector
AI has been a topic of debate for everyone because of its equal portion of pros & cons. Talking about its impact on the healthcare industry, I feel that it has completely revolutionised the dynamics of the healthcare landscape in India.
According to NASSCOM, the Indian healthcare AI market is expected to grow at CAGR of 40 per cent by 2025. Integrating AI technologies has empowered doctors, transforming the entire healthcare system in overcoming some of their most significant challenges, such as a dearth of medical expertise, limited access to treatment in rural areas, diagnostic accuracy, patient care, and administrative processes, benefiting doctors and patients alike. As the founder of an exclusive insurance broker for doctors, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of AI on India’s healthcare landscape.
Improved diagnostic accuracy and early detection
The contribution of AI to improving diagnostic accuracy and enabling early disease detection cannot be overstated. AI-powered systems can analyse vast amounts of patient data, including medical records, lab reports, and imaging scans, more accurately and precisely than human doctors in a very short span of time. This helps physicians make more accurate diagnoses and develop personalised treatment plans.
AI algorithms can analyse medical images quickly, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs & Radiology segment which allows deep learning of every organ of the body under scan identifying patterns and anomalies that human eyes may miss. This has been particularly useful in early cancer detection, where timely intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes.
For instance, the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Delhi has developed a system that employs artificial intelligence to detect early-stage oral cancer. To detect early cancer indications, the algorithm uses machine learning to analyze oral imaging data.
Virtual assistants and telemedicine
AI-powered virtual assistants have revolutionised doctor-patient interactions, especially in telemedicine. Virtual assistants with natural language processing capabilities can engage in real-time patient conversations, collect their medical histories, and provide initial assessments. This reduces the burden on doctors and allows them to focus on critical cases, ensuring efficient time utilisation.
Moreover, telemedicine platforms enhanced by AI can remotely monitor patients’ vital signs, enabling physicians to provide personalised care from a distance. This is particularly beneficial in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited, allowing patients to receive expert medical guidance without needing physical visits.
Improved administrative efficiency and cost reduction
AI technologies have also played a crucial role in improving administrative processes and reducing healthcare costs. Intelligent automation and machine learning algorithms can streamline appointment scheduling, medical billing, and record-keeping tasks, reducing human error and administrative burdens.
AI-powered chatbots that are integrated into websites and applications for the healthcare industry can offer round-the-clock customer service, addressing common queries and steering patients to appropriate resources. This improves patient satisfaction and frees up personnel time, allowing medical professionals to concentrate on providing high-quality care.
Enhanced treatment and patient monitoring
A personalised treatment plan based on patient data and scientific research has been developed using AI algorithms. By reviewing a sizable amount of medical literature and clinical trials, AI can offer doctors evidence-based suggestions for the best treatment techniques. This enables doctors to make wise choices and give their patients more successful treatments.
Additionally, AI-based wearable technology can continuously track a patient’s health indicators, giving clinicians extra information and real-time insights as well as detecting any irregularities. This makes it possible to manage chronic illnesses pro-actively and with early intervention, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes and lower overall healthcare expenditures.
Conclusion
Healthcare in India is being transformed by AI in a significant way, improving patient care and assisting medical practitioners. We will be able to observe a notable improvement in diagnostic precision, early disease identification, and more efficient administrative procedures by utilising AI technology to its utmost potential. Personalised treatment programmes are starting to become commonplace with the use of virtual assistants and telemedicine platforms. We have still not utilised AI’s fullest potential & there is still a long way to go. We must keep researching potential machine learning and AI’s opportunity to further improve the healthcare system by bringing in more technological advancements. Accepting AI’s potential to transform healthcare for all.
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