The typical pattern we see in technological advancement is an increase in performance, cost reduction, and increased public access after a new technology hits the market. Not so with health care, it seems. The increase in technology in the healthcare arena tends to add extra layers to an already-complicated system, which translates to increased costs and lowered access of care. This article from Newsweek examines how recent endeavors to add artificial intelligence to the data management mix holds out hope for the future. “How Artificial Intelligence Will Cure America’s Sick Healthcare System” discusses several business initiatives which merge data and AI, providing strategies for lowering costs and improving access in the healthcare industry.
One of the reasons why technological advancements tend to increase healthcare costs is because health practitioners need to devote time in order to adopt new tech. Due to complexities in the regulatory environment and rapid scientific advances, sifting through massive amounts of patient data, regulations, and medical information is a daunting task. Artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline the process by filtering this data within a medical context.
Already, this approach has been used to create apps that help people manage their diabetes. Patient data is collected on a smartphone app , frequently through other smart devices. As the data is analyzed, the AI software learns about the patient and sends alerts to the physicians on the other end of the app, who can send coaching or medical advice to the patient as appropriate. It’s a way to provide constant monitoring of a patient’s health status while simultaneously reducing the time a doctor spends data wrangling.
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