Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare. As chronic conditions become more prevalent in the United States, with millions of Americans suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and other long-term health issues, the healthcare system is struggling to manage these conditions, and many Americans are not visiting their primary care providers enough. This lack of attention to chronic conditions can lead to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. However, the good news is that AI may be able to help.
Virtual Visits for Frequent Check-Ins
One of the benefits of AI in healthcare is the ability to offer virtual visits for frequent check-ins. Patients are more likely to visit with their primary care provider frequently when doing virtual visits as check-ins. This approach can provide a more convenient way for patients to stay engaged with their healthcare. By offering monthly or bimonthly virtual visits, patients can benefit from regular check-ins, which can improve their outcomes and help them stay on track with their treatment plan.
For example, patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, often need regular monitoring and support to manage their condition effectively. With virtual visits, patients can receive ongoing care without the need for frequent trips to the doctor's office. Virtual visits can also be helpful for patients who live in remote or underserved areas, as they may not have easy access to healthcare services.
Long-Term Patient Tracking
Another benefit of AI in healthcare is the ability to track patients' progress over time. Doctors currently do not possess efficient systems to track patients long-term, like knowing what patients' baselines are to see if they are improving or not. Doctors are very busy, and offices are not good about following up with patients to remind them to book follow-up visits, to book specialist appointments, to book tests, and to keep track of their progress in primary care. AI can be used as a tool to support primary care providers in better managing patients' health long-term. With AI, providers can track patients' progress and offer personalized treatment plans.
For example, AI algorithms can analyze large data sets, identify patterns and trends, and provide insights to providers to help them make better treatment decisions. By using AI in this way, providers can offer better care while protecting their patients' private health information (PHI). One of the concerns with using AI in healthcare is protecting patients' PHI. However, AI can be used with safeguards within the confines of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for the office. By integrating AI with EHRs, providers can ensure that patients' PHI is protected while still benefiting from the insights that AI can provide.
Improved Provider-Patient Relationships
By offering regular virtual visits and tracking patients' progress over time, primary care providers can build stronger relationships with their patients. These relationships can improve patient outcomes and help to convert current patients into repeat customers. Patients are more likely to continue visiting with a provider who they feel cares about them and their health.
For example, a patient who receives regular virtual visits from their primary care provider may feel more comfortable sharing personal health information and discussing their treatment options. This can lead to better treatment decisions and improved health outcomes. Additionally, providers who use AI to track patients' progress can provide more personalized treatment plans, which can further strengthen the provider-patient relationship.
Increased Revenue for Medical Offices
By offering regular virtual visits and managing patients' health long-term, providers can bring more revenue into the medical office from long-term patients. This approach can also help to reduce healthcare costs by identifying and addressing issues before they become more serious.
For example, a medical office that offers virtual visits may be able to increase their patient base by attracting patients who value the convenience and accessibility of virtual care. Additionally, providers who use AI to track patients’ progress can identify potential health issues before they become more serious, which can help to reduce healthcare costs in the long run. By identifying and addressing health issues early, providers can help to prevent the need for more expensive interventions, such as hospitalizations or surgeries.
The Future of AI in Healthcare
AI is still in its early stages in healthcare, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered in the United States. In the future, we may see even more advanced AI tools that can support providers in managing patient health and offer even more personalized care.
For example, AI may be able to analyze genetic data and provide personalized treatment plans based on a patient's unique genetic makeup. Additionally, AI may be able to analyze data from wearable devices and other health sensors to provide real-time insights into a patient's health.
However, as with any new technology, there are potential risks and challenges associated with AI in healthcare. One of the main concerns is ensuring the security of patients' PHI. Providers must ensure that patient data is protected and that AI algorithms are designed to maintain patient privacy.
Another concern is ensuring that AI tools are used ethically and do not perpetuate bias or discrimination. AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on, and if the data used to train an algorithm is biased, the algorithm itself will be biased. Therefore, providers must ensure that AI tools are designed and trained in an ethical and unbiased manner.
Final Thoughts
AI has the potential to transform the way healthcare is delivered in the United States. By offering virtual visits, tracking patients' progress, improving provider-patient relationships, and increasing revenue for medical offices, AI can help to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. However, providers must ensure that patient data is protected and that AI tools are designed and trained in an ethical and unbiased manner. With the right safeguards in place, AI can be a powerful tool for improving healthcare in the United States.
