Medical practices are quickly entering an age where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing and expanding to help improve user and patient experience, as well as increase automation in the work environment. During the Becker’s Health IT + Digital Health + RCM conference, healthcare and IT leaders came together to discuss how to adapt to the latest trends in the field, including telehealth, cybersecurity, diversity and the simplification of healthcare through AI.
The implementation of AI in the medical world is increasing as doctors and researchers explore ways to make healthcare as seamless as possible for both doctors and patients. Telehealth, the ability to meet with a healthcare provider virtually rather than in-person, is an important process that doctors are utilizing as the patient population and their needs continue to grow. Doctors and medical staff will soon be able to:
- Use AI for administrative tasks to increase healthcare staff efficiency
- Continue to consolidate electronic medical records (EMR) onto a singular platform, making it easier for providers across a health system to access up-to-date patient information
- Close the access gap in more rural and underserved areas to collect data and maximize face time with patients
- Utilize technology to focus on holistic health and increase discussion about behavioral nudges, for example a smart watch mentioning that it is ‘time to stand’
- Improve the digital experience for patients of all demographics through easy access medical records and utilization of telehealth for older populations
Diversity in Telehealth Technology
With the progression of AI and telehealth, hearing diverse voices on the implementation of these tools cannot be overlooked as medical professionals change the way they utilize technology. It is imperative that new technology is working to make medical support and processes simple for communities that may not have as many resources when it comes to telehealth and digital medical records. For example, a chat box that pops up on a medical practice’s website may have been created to help patients, but non-English speaking patients do not benefit if the box is not programmed to display and understand other languages.
Skillset diversity must also be considered when doing research. Instead of finding medical staff and researchers based only on a certain educational background, it is beneficial to consider candidates with a range of experience as well. Inviting different voices into the medical field can only benefit the way healthcare progresses and provides better outcomes to patients.
A Platform-First Approach: Creating Maximum Value for Enterprises
It is important for medical companies to create maximum value within the applications and systems that they are paying for. Technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that often, by the time a new technology has been implemented by an enterprise, it is already basically obsolete and needs to be replaced. This is where the platform-first approach comes into play. With this approach, companies prioritize getting the most value from existing applications that are already purchased and installed in the enterprise. For example, ensuring that there is no overlap between the use cases of multiple apps a company is paying for.
The platform-first approach includes:
- Leveraging platforms that are already currently in use
- Adding features that are easy to use with easily accessible interfaces
- Focusing less on training and more on hands-on experience
- Being selective in what tools and platforms are implemented
- Being agile and looking at a platform strategy instead of individualistic needs
- Ensuring that what an organization already has makes sense in regard to the bigger picture and is not being underutilized
Moving Forward: Maximizing Every Tool and Every Person
Even with today’s fast-paced changes, there are processes and elements of healthcare that AI cannot replace. AI is rapidly growing and evolving, but it cannot take away the qualities of being a human, especially in the medical field. If a bot can do a simple task, such as filing paperwork, it is best to let the bot do it, and allow doctors to spend more personalized time with patients. It is ideal to offer digital opportunities in the workplace, but not to the extent that it hinders user experience. Technology can alleviate pressures and remove friction from a workforce, but at the end of the day, AI cannot replace the personal human element of care that a doctor provides to a patient.
AI is not something to fear, but rather something to embrace in the areas where it meets providers and patients’ needs. It is also important that every voice is heard while technology advances, and minority groups are not left behind in the fast-moving AI path. Companies and researchers are focusing on where the demand is and either changing or providing additional technology as frictionless and simple as possible.
Visit Carahsoft’s Healthcare Solutions Portfolio to learn more information and key insights for the IT and Healthcare industries.
*The information contained in this blog has been written based off the thought-leadership discussions presented by speakers at the Becker’s Healthcare Summit 2023.*
