The administration and execution of an efficient healthcare system today is weighed down by many complications. Just to provide a snapshot:
- A shortage of physicians, further exacerbated with the shortage of specialist doctors, hence increasing the chances of misdiagnosis.
- Uneven distribution of healthcare services despite availability of advanced medical treatments. This problem is most evident among rural residents who face grave challenges in obtaining timely access to medical examination.
The two observations above suggest that the core of today’s healthcare problems is the sum of different and disconnected information systems. To resolve them, healthcare organizations worldwide are looking to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the cloud. The market for AI in healthcare is expected to grow to about US$8 bn by 2022, mainly driven by increasing demands for cost and time rationalization in processes, automated and streamlined management of complex data, as well as reducing unnecessary workload on medical experts.
4 ways AI and the cloud improve efficiency and patient care
Automated data management
Microsoft has embarked on its Healthcare NExT initiative, in which they have offered a host of AI and cloud solutions catered for healthcare institutions. I’ve found Azure to be impressive, in that it prioritizes proper structure and labelling of data, before incorporating the suitable AI analysis. Using Azure’s secured and automated data management, Microsoft has successfully conducted a quarter million patient trials in India.
Virtual consultations
With communications applications such as Cisco WebEx, medical experts can now connect seamlessly and more personally with patients whenever and wherever. As such, waiting times for consultation at clinics can be eliminated, and patients no longer need to travel while being ill to get treatment.
Raise staff productivity
It is also important to be able to leverage streaming video technology to boost medical worker and staff productivity. Among the benefits provided by enterprise communication technologies, improved productivity scored the highest among healthcare professionals, according to a report by Wainhouse Research.
Improve organization’s performance
Healthcare executives are clearly aware of the financial impact that streaming-enriched training can have on their organization’s performance, according to the Wainhouse Research report.
The prospects offered by the intersection of healthcare, technology and people are exciting. AI-based and cloud solutions, done correctly, could improve healthcare quality by leaps and bounds through the minimization of human error and promotion of accessibility.
Contact the author here or learn more about Arkadin’s expertise in digital engagement for healthcare on our website.
