You’re at the dermatologist’s office. You completed your waiting room session and were led by a nurse into the exam room. Here you are checking sports news on your phone and returning some texts while patiently awaiting the arrival of your new doctor.
There’s a quick knock on the door and a turn of the handle…
And in walks a robot! Could this be the future of medicine?
It’s possible, but not probable.
AI in medicine is growing exponentially. But have no fear. You won’t lose the face-to-face between you and your doctor that you know and love so well. At least not just yet.
For the most part, the goal of AI in the medical field is to aid our doctors, not replace them.
What Does AI in Medicine Mean?
Well, the point of AI in the medical field is to help doctors, patients, and the future for all.
Using research to fund better machines, finding more efficient means of analyzing data, and building better devices all aid in the medical process from beginning to end.
So maybe there will be a robot nurse or a robot surgeon in the near future. But what’s happening NOW? What are some AI medical innovations that are in place or almost there, today?
Here are 7 ways AI in medicine is changing healthcare.
1. China’s Doctor Shortage
In China, there are 1.5 doctors for every 1,000 people whereas the US has 2.5 for every 1,000. One of those doctors, Chongchong Wu, is attempting to bridge that gap between doctors and their patients.
She used a computer program to scan for cancer. While the computer did mistake two blood vessels for potential malignancies, it also found a module that she herself had overlooked.
So between the cancer radiologist and the AI, a most efficient diagnosis was provided for the patient.
That AI, developed by PereDoc, is now doing research collaboration with almost 200 hospitals in China.
Have you ever watched doctors race against AI on a particular diagnosis? It’s very popular in China and just goes to show that for some sectors of the medical world, AI is indeed more efficient.
2. Advanced Algorithms
Deep Learning is a combination of different machine techniques to create artificial intelligence in modern medicine.
Using a combination of one’s medical history, current diagnoses, and other information, a machine can more accurately predict things like possible outcomes, hospital stay duration, and chance of death based on all medical history and individual medical history.
Instead of just looking at an individual’s history, it can look at the history of diagnoses in general, and all other humans who have ever been given the same diagnoses. The possible outcomes are endless and can aid a doctor in better assessing their patients needs both now and in the future.
3. Brain-Computer Interfaces
Do you know or have a loved one who has lost some or all of their ability to communicate?
BCI’s could allow for that person to communicate, using medical innovations in a computer to read that person’s signals and respond back to them.
They could work in the long run, for an individual who has had a stroke and will never be able to communicate through verbal language. And they could also be used in a crucial moment in between surgeries when a patient is temporarily unable to express themselves verbally or through movement.
4. Antibiotic Resistance
Ever feel like you’re taking antibiotics for the 100th time? Ever worry that in taking another round of antibiotics to cure your sickness, you’re in turn building up immunity to drugs for the next time something hits you?
You’re right to worry. But new AI in the medical field can allow for those tools to further identify that build up in immunity. It can detect patterns and likelihoods to help us fight the inevitability of drugs losing their inefficiency.
5. Better Drugs for All
Sometimes drugs are recalled due to inefficiency and terrible side effects. Artificial intelligence in medicine can help stop those recalls and side effects before they happen by analyzing data in ways that humans can’t.
6. Apps and Tablets and Ipads, Oh My
Using tablets and other AI devices throughout the entire medical visit and process can help keep patient’s data up to date, accurate, and predict any potential future issues. They also provide the doctor with more time to interact with their patients.
A lot of medical issues stem from something deeper, like high blood sugar, unhealthy diets, or lack of exercise. Many apps can help the individual detect things on their own, and then be paired up with a health professional to weed out simple things such as diet before resorting to drugs and beginning other treatment.
For example, did you know that we can fight parasites on our own? Many foods and methods can eliminate parasites in our body without ever needing to see a doctor.
Many Apps can provide us with information necessary to fight some of our own battles.
My Fitness Pal helps individuals stay healthy by tracking and analyzing diet and exercise. Sleep Cycle analyzes your sleep to help you find optimal wake-up times and get the most out of your sleep. YoDerm uses certified dermatologists to give you the care and products you need, without having to go anywhere.
7. Underdeveloped Regions in Need
Who better to help than those who really need AI?
For those countries and regions that are at an absolute shortage of doctors and medical equipment, a robot doctor is better than no doctor at all.
A self-sufficient x-ray machine and data entry module could allow for the few medical professionals in those hard to reach areas to direct more focus to their patients, and let computers do the busy work.
And to bridge the gap between countries using AI in medicine, companies like Slone Partners are leading the future in life-saving medical innovations by bringing ground-breaking industry professionals together.
So How Does AI in Medicine Affect Your Life Today?
Many doctors offices are now interconnected so that specialists can access your medical history online, making it easier to move between doctor’s offices, make more accurate diagnoses, and provide better treatment.
Have you ever winced at the sight of that stack of paper on the clipboard that you’re often asked to fill out as a first-time patient? All of that information is stored and analyzed, both for the benefit of you as the individual patient and for society as a whole.
When you do receive care, follow-ups can be a breeze. Most doctors provide their personal contact info or will video chat with you from the office so that you don’t always have to come in.
Want to avoid the doctor altogether?
You can still use AI in medicine to your advantage.
There are many things you can do on your own to stay or become healthy. Use app’s to stay on track and virtual doctors for questions, concerns, and even a diagnoses.
Click here for more ideas on how to take care of yourself without having to step into an office.