After years of innovation and development, technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are now being leveraged to diagnose, treat and prevent illnesses. From everyday patient concerns to complex diseases like cancer and diabetes, AI will continue to play an important role in the health care sphere for years to come.
Here are some of the ways in which AI technology is working to advance disease treatment and patient support.
More accurate, efficient diagnoses
According to a 2016 study, medical errors may cause as many as 250,000 deaths annually in the United States. Large caseloads and an absence of the patient’s complete medical history play significant roles in this issue, leading researchers to look for ways that AI can help alleviate the volume of work on medical professionals.
In the form of medical chat bots, AI can quickly assess a patient’s symptoms and health concerns, and recommend care based on the diagnosis. AI is also capable of more complicated medical tasks, such as analyzing and streamlining radiology scans and findings. Another form of AI software can help detect patterns in cancer cells, helping to support diagnoses, treatment and research.
Pain management and personalized care
Because each person responds differently to treatments, AI and machine learning can be used to analyze how certain patients will respond to certain approaches, and suggest alterations to the treatment plan to better suit them. For example, Harvard Pilgrim has partnered with digital therapeutics company Kaia Health to help those with back pain relief. Kaia’s AI platform helps those suffering from musculoskeletal conditions measure and monitor their pain points while sharing findings with their health care provider. So far through the pilot program, users have reported a 35% reduction in their pain levels, as well as a 59% increase in sleep quality. Additionally, Kaia provides an AI “motion coach” on patients’ smart phones, allowing them to access a digital personal trainer designed for their specific movement needs. Tools like these can provide an affordable option for patients to improve their quality of life—in fact, musculoskeletal issues are the largest driver of both long-term and short-term disability claims.
Disease treatment and reversal
AI systems are constantly updating, giving them the ability to locate new treatment options based on the latest research findings. This makes AI a valuable partner for physicians to keep their treatment plans updated in real time, as AI analyzes patient data and information from lab visits, personal health devices and a variety of other sources. For example, the systems behind the start-up Virta Health offer continuous, remote medical care, personalized nutrition plans and more to help patients treat—and reverse—their Type 2 diabetes.
Caregiver support
To support and empower those caring for chronically ill loved ones, there are a range of emerging AI options. Most recently, interest has turned to integration with voice devices, remote monitoring, telehealth capabilities and even virtual, augmented and mixed reality to train caregivers on treatments. Ceresti Health is one program with a specific focus on caregivers for those living with dementia. Through their virtual care program, Ceresti offers education, virtual coaching and a digitized tablet experience that is personalized to the patient’s needs.
These are just a handful of ways that AI is already improving the landscape of health care. By constantly innovating, AI will continue to be a vital resource for providers, caregivers and patients alike.