The healthcare industry, which has traditionally been slow to adopt new technologies, is finally catching up.
Today, we see the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) integration in every aspect of healthcare, from diagnosis and treatment to patient education and care management. AI is revolutionizing the way we interact with our doctors and other medical professionals, helping doctors treat patients more effectively and efficiently.
In fact, recent research by Statista shows that roughly 20% of healthcare organizations embraced AI initiatives in their organizations by 2021. This means that whether you're a patient or a doctor, you'll likely encounter AI technology in one way or another during your time at the doctor's office.
How can this technology help us? What kind of benefits can we expect? This article explores how healthcare organizations can benefit from AI integration.
Enhanced Regulatory Compliance
The healthcare industry is currently facing a crisis. The growing adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and the increasing number of data breach cases are causing more concern among healthcare providers than ever before. Healthcare organizations are under pressure to keep patient data secure and comply with regulations.
As per the data compiled by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Journal, between 2009 and 2021, the Health and Human Services Office received complaints of 4,419 healthcare data breaches of 500 or more records, leading to the loss or theft of 314,063,186 healthcare records.
This staggering figure emphasizes just how important it is for healthcare providers to be vigilant about protecting patient information from unauthorized access or use. The good news is that AI can help them do so by providing automated solutions for handling sensitive data and monitoring systems for potential threats before they become problems.
Let’s say you're using Mental Health Practice Management Software to manage your patients' medical information. AI can help you keep all of their data secure and encrypted, and it can alert you if anyone attempts to access that information without authorization.
Moreover, an AI-enabled EHR solution can reduce the number of security incidents by using analytics to identify patterns and anomalies in data, then applying rules and best practices to ensure that only appropriate information is shared between patients and providers.
Reduced Costs and Increased Efficiency of Care
The healthcare industry is rapidly changing, and AI is poised to play a major role in the future of care.
AI integration can help healthcare organizations reduce costs, increase efficiency, and provide better care for patients. The most recent figures from McKinsey show that national health expenditure in the US could increase at an alarming rate of 7.1% from 2022 to 2027.
This means that healthcare facilities are faced with two options: either raise prices and risk losing patients or cut corners in order to keep margins high enough to stay afloat.
It's no surprise that many hospitals are opting for the latter option. But there's a third way: integrate AI into your operations to reduce costs and increase efficiency across the board.
AI can help you reduce overhead costs by automating processes like patient intake and scheduling appointments. It can also help streamline clinical processes by identifying high-risk patients before they become sicker or require more intensive care.
Plus, having an AI system in place means that you'll be able to operate more efficiently than ever before, saving money on staff training and re-training, as well as reducing errors due to human error.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics, a subset of AI technology, can help healthcare thrive by helping doctors make better decisions about which treatments are best for each patient.
A survey by the Society of Actuaries revealed that healthcare organizations reap multiple benefits after implementing predictive analytics, with 39% enjoying reduced costs and 42% witnessing improved patient satisfaction.
Predictive analytics can benefit the healthcare industry in many ways:
- Better decision-making: Hospitals and clinics are increasingly using predictive analytics tools to make decisions about their patients' care. These tools can help providers predict which patients are at risk of developing conditions like diabetes or heart disease, so they can take preventative measures before it's too late.
- Increased efficiency: Predictive analytics also helps hospitals become more efficient by enabling them to better allocate their resources and staff. For example, if a hospital knows that it will receive an influx of patients on the weekend due to a sporting event in town, it can plan accordingly by preparing more staff and supplies for those days.
- Improved patient experience: By using predictive analytics tools, hospitals can also provide better experiences for their patients by providing customized care based on their specific needs and preferences.
Better Doctor-Patient Communication
The field of healthcare has long been plagued by a lack of communication between doctors and patients. In many cases, this is due to a lack of trust between the two parties. However, thanks to AI-enabled telehealth technology, patients can now easily communicate with their doctors from home or on their mobile devices.
In fact, according to a recent survey by McKinsey, roughly 40% of consumers will prefer telehealth going forward. Moreover, research from the same company revealed that between 40% to 60% of consumers are willing to use virtual health solutions.
Virtual interactions allow doctors to assess and diagnose issues faster than ever before and give patients direct access to their physicians. In addition, AI integration helps make sure that patients receive the most up-to-date treatment options by recommending treatment plans based on data from previous cases similar to theirs.
This means that patients aren't getting outdated or subpar treatment plans. They're getting just what they need.
The Use of AI in Healthcare Has the Potential to Benefit Both Physicians and Patients
The use of AI in healthcare has the potential to benefit both physicians and patients, who can use technology to share information and make better decisions. Physicians can improve their efficiency while also increasing patient satisfaction, while patients can receive more personalized care at lower costs.