The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is making it possible for businesses to find solutions that they couldn’t dream of before. Several industries are already benefiting from technology, but one industry that truly needed to change fast and chose to adopt the technology quickly is healthcare. The rise of artificial intelligence and the year of pandemic are quite close. Healthcare was overburdened and needed to adapt to the growing needs. Today, Artificial Intelligence in healthcare is already paving the way for never-seen-before improvement, which we will discuss below. However, this is only the start, as the coming times will only experience a rise in the demand for such solutions. So, keep reading to learn how you can leverage the technology to your advantage.
AI in Healthcare – The Relevant Types of Artificial Intelligence
It is a common misconception to think of artificial intelligence as a singular product. However, the fact is that it is a collection of various technologies, and while each of these can assist the healthcare industry, the specific tasks it can perform vary significantly.
The global market for AI in healthcare was valued at over 11 billion dollars in 2021, and by 2030, it is expected to grow to a value of around 188 billion dollars.
Below are some of the technologies that are highly relevant in the healthcare industry today.
1. Machine Learning
It is a subsection of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn and improve using experience, much like humans, without explicitly being programmed for it. In healthcare, these algorithms are trained using data sets like health records to create models that can predict outcomes and categorize information.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Applications: How Machine Learning is Assisting the Industry
Medical Image Analysis: It includes analyzing X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans using computers to detect anomalies like tumors or fractures.
Predictive Analytics: To forecasting disease outbreaks, patient risk factors, and treatment outcomes.
Personalized Medicine: Tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup and medical history.
2. Artificial Neural Networks
It is a subset of machine learning inspired by the human brain and consists of interconnected nodes that process information in layers. Therefore, much like human brain, it is used to solve complex problems and learns from its mistakes to improve over time.
AI technology in Healthcare Applications:
Computer Vision: Identifying patterns in medical images, such as detecting early signs of diseases like cancer.
Biochemical Analysis: Artificial neural networks are excellent for analyzing blood and urine samples, tracking glucose levels in diabetics, and detecting several pathological conditions.
3. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Natural Language Processing or NLP is a sub-section of computer science and artificial intelligence that enables computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. It is ideal for analyzing data with natural language text and voice.
AI in Healthcare Applications:
Medical Document Analysis: Extracting information from electronic health records (EHRs) to improve data quality and accessibility.
Clinical Decision Support: Providing evidence-based recommendations to clinicians.
Virtual Health Assistants: Interacting with patients to answer questions, provide health information, and schedule appointments.
4. Rule-Based Expert Systems
Expert systems leverage knowledge and rules to make decisions and solve problems. A subset of artificial intelligence, it uses a set of “if-then” rules for decision-making and derivation of conclusions.
Role of AI in Healthcare Applications:
Diagnostic Systems: Assisting doctors in diagnosing diseases based on symptoms and test results.
Treatment Planning: Recommending optimal treatment plans for specific conditions.
Medical Education: Providing interactive learning experiences for medical students and professionals.
5. Physical Robots
Physical robots are mechanical devices capable of performing tasks autonomously or with human guidance. Medical robots assist with surgeries, clinical workflow, hospital logistics, and more to improve patient care and workplace safety.
AI Used in Healthcare Applications:
Surgical Robots: Assisting surgeons in performing complex procedures with greater precision and accuracy.
Rehabilitation Robots: Helping patients recover from injuries or illnesses through guided exercises.
Disinfection Robots: Sanitizing hospital environments to reduce the spread of infections.
6. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA involves using software robots to automate repetitive tasks. These are virtual robots, ideal for performing manual tasks that are otherwise time-consuming.
Healthcare Applications:
Administrative Tasks: Automating data entry, claims processing, and appointment scheduling.
Billing and Coding: Streamlining billing processes and reducing errors.
Patient Data Management: Organizing and managing patient records efficiently.
By harnessing the power of these AI technologies, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate medical research.
A Special Mention – Deep Learning: A Powerful Tool for Healthcare
Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, is amongst the most transformative technologies in healthcare. By employing artificial neural networks with multiple layers, deep learning models can learn complex patterns from vast amounts of data. This capability has led to significant advancements in various healthcare applications:
Medical Image Analysis
- Disease Detection: Deep learning algorithms can accurately identify diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetic retinopathy from medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
- Image Segmentation: Isolating specific regions of interest in medical images, such as tumors or anatomical structures, for further analysis.
- Image Reconstruction: Improving the quality of low-resolution or noisy medical images, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Drug Discovery and Development
- Virtual Screening: Identifying potential drug candidates by analyzing vast chemical databases and predicting their biological activity.
- Toxicity Prediction: Assessing the potential toxicity of drug compounds, accelerating the drug development process.
- Personalized Medicine: Tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup and medical history.
Wearable Device Analysis
- Activity Recognition: Monitoring patient activity levels and identifying patterns associated with health conditions.
- Sleep Analysis: Analyzing sleep patterns to diagnose sleep disorders and optimize treatment plans.
- Early Disease Detection: Detecting early signs of diseases like heart disease or diabetes through continuous monitoring of vital signs.
Clinical Decision Support
- Predictive Modeling: Forecasting patient outcomes and identifying high-risk individuals.
- Risk Stratification: Categorizing patients into risk groups to prioritize care and allocate resources effectively.
- Treatment Optimization: Recommending optimal treatment plans based on patient-specific factors.
What are the Challenges Associated with Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare?
When discussing AI and healthcare, artificial intelligence has immense potential for transforming the industry. However, it has a fair share of hurdles, which we will discuss below.
Data Privacy:
Patient data is protected under HIPAA in the USA, and several other countries also have strict rules regarding personal information. Therefore, it is essential for people creating AI models to safeguard this information appropriately and reassure the patients and patients about data privacy and safety.
Interpretability:
While fruitful, AI technology in healthcare can sometimes be complex. A transparent decision-making process is mandatory to build trust and guarantee accountability among users. This is especially true for deep learning models, as they are more intricate and challenging to understand.
Ethical Considerations:
Businesses must focus on creating AI systems that can avoid biases and ensure fairness in decision-making.
Regulatory Hurdles:
Healthcare deals with people's lives, and the regulatory frameworks are strict. Therefore, getting approvals for AI-powered medical devices is complex and time-consuming.
Infrastructure and Experience:
Implementing AI ideas requires significant infrastructure investments, including data storage and high-performance computers. A trained crew is also needed to develop, implement, and maintain these systems.
What are the Advantages of AI in Healthcare?
AI has several benefits in healthcare, transforming every section of the industry with never-seen-before applications. The advantages include:
Better Patient Care:
From scheduling appointments to answering questions, AI in the healthcare industry makes it easier for hospitals to make patient care better.
Bespoke Treatment Plan:
Artificial intelligence assists doctors in creating personalized treatment plans based on a patient's medical history and needs.
Faster Diagnosis:
Artificial intelligence in healthcare can make diagnosing patients faster while being accurate. It also identifies high-risk patients first, allowing for quick resolutions for people in need.
Remote Patient Monitoring:
Wearable technology with AI capabilities can monitor patients' health from a distance, improving patient outcomes and early intervention.
What is the Future of AI in Healthcare?
From predictive analytics assisting with predicting disease outbreaks to robotic surgery making it possible to perform complex procedures with better accuracy and precision, everything will be possible using artificial intelligence. In essence, the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare can change the game of how the healthcare industry works from the ground up. It will make it a more affordable endeavor for the general public to get the right healthcare faster. Additionally, the fact that AI does not have the same needs as humans will make it possible for hospitals to provide the best care at all times.
Lastly, the future implications of Generative AI in healthcare are still in the making. So, while there are many applications of the technology already in existence, there is still scope of improvement.
AI in Healthcare – Making the World Better
AI in healthcare will offer immense potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance efficiency, and accelerate medical research. However, it is crucial to approach the integration of AI in healthcare with caution and ethical considerations.
As AI continues to advance, it is essential to strike a balance between technological innovation and human empathy. By combining the strengths of both, we can create a future where AI serves as a powerful tool to improve the health and well-being of individuals worldwide.
If you want to leverage artificial intelligence in your operations, then in touch with MoogleLabs today. Our AI consultants will guide you on how you can use the technology to improve your operations and overall output.