7 Mind-Blowing Use Cases of AI in Healthcare5 min readJust now--Currently, AI is transforming major industries worldwide. In particular, the disruption to the healthcare industry seems to be most pronounced. By incorporating advanced algorithms, machine learning, and data and analytics, AI is creating substantial changes in the healthcare industry in a way that is more efficient, accurate, and accessible.From diagnosis to personalized treatment, AI is beginning to create a world where medical diagnosis is proactive, exact, and patient-centered.In this article, let us take a brief look at seven recent use cases of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.Role of AI in Healthcare Industry: Transforming the Future of Medicine1. Medical Imaging and DiagnosticsAI is among the most sophisticated applications in the health care industry when it comes to the use of medical imaging. AI models, including deep learning models, are trained and developed to analyze medical images (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc.) for the purposes of identifying patterns and beauty for anomalies.Applications of AI can scan and identify abnormal conditions such as lung cancer, brain injury, fractures, and heart disease with precision and increase in accuracy level (most oftentimes absent human physicians).For example, AI can scan and review X-ray images and identify early-stage lung cancer, or detect subtle signs of breast cancer that a human radiologist may detect. Therefore, AI provides earlier diagnosis and treatment options.Do You Know?A study showed that AI can achieve top-one diagnostic accuracy of 81.8% and top-two accuracy of 85% by outperforming traditional detecting methods.Source: ArXiv2. Predictive Analytics for Patient OutcomesAIs capacity to navigate massive volumes of data is making predictive analytic capabilities a powerful resource in health care. Through historical patient data analysis, AI can inform the probability of a patient developing certain diseases or issues, illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, or even the chance of readmission after surgery. As an example, AI exploits a patients medical records, either their lifestyle components or genetic underpinnings, to suggest a chronic disease risk. Armed with this knowledge, a medical professional can intervene earlier or personalize a patients care plan to minimize the likelihood of further complications, such as comorbidities, and improve health outcomes, overall, in the long run.Do You Know?Cera Cares AI system predicts over 80% of health risks in prior, reducing hospitalizations by up to 70% and falls by 20%.Source: Wikipedia3. Customized Treatment ProgramsIn the era of precision medicine, AI is central to creating personalized treatment programs for patients. AI can evaluate and review the genetic history, medical paperwork, and environmental history of each patient and suggest the most efficient treatment option for that specific individual. This trend is especially impactful in the field of oncology.In the treatment of cancer, AI can analyze a patients genetic histories and their individual tumor characteristics, and suggest a treatment plan that would be the best option, in terms of efficacy, for the patient. By customizing a treatment plan utilizing therapies, AI hopes to increase the responsible likelihood of treatment response, while reducing the side effect profile for patients.Do You Know?A study from Sword Healths digital therapy program says engagement rates were more than double those of traditional therapy, highlighting AIs role in improving patient participation.Source: Wikipedia4. Virtual Health AssistantsAI-based virtual health assistants (chatbots, voice assistants, etc.) are shifting the way that patients engage with health services. Patients can have access to these health assistants 24 hours a day, seven days a week to obtain answers to questions, receive advice, or be reminded to take their medication or attend an appointment.These assistants can also instruct patients to self-monitor chronic illnesses using various modes of symptom tracking, remind them to take their medications, or even support their mental health conditions by guiding meditation exercises or cognitive behavioral therapy.The result is improved engagement from patients but also reducing the burden on the healthcare professional to address more pressing items.Do You Know:A study explored that AI-driven health assistants achieved a diagnostic accuracy rate of 90% when compared to general physicians who scored 74% without AI assistance.Source: ArXiv5. Drug Discovery and DevelopmentAI speeds up the traditionally lengthy and expensive process of discovering and developing drug therapies by processing large datasets of biological and chemical information to predict which compounds are likely, successful treatments for diseases. Moreover, it may even identify novel drug candidates for diseases that do not currently have effective treatments like rare cancers or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers.AI can reduce the trial and error process and decrease research timelines truly having the potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical companies and expedite the development of life-saving medications.6. Remote Monitoring and WearablesWearables like fitness trackers and smartwatches have made health tracking easy for people. AI then continues to collect data about health measures such as heart rate, blood oxygen measurements, blood glucose measures, and sleeping patterns. AI can then send continuous feedback in real-time. Furthermore, AI can send notifications to health providers if there is a detection of abnormal vital signs.For example, AI can assist with chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease or diabetes by appropriately monitoring the health of the patient and sending alert notifications to healthcare providers to signal if the patient is at risk of an emergency to enable timely intervention.This package of remote monitoring, which can be structured, can enable timely intervention for patients without needing them to make frequent visits.7. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)AI-based Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) provide health professionals with decision support based on the best available evidence using an analytic method. Therefore, CDSS examines patient data, and pertinent literature based on the relevant medical guidelines to recommend the most likely diagnoses, possible therapies, and instructions for aftercare.For example, if a doctor is unsure of a diagnosis or treatment plan, the AI CDSS can consider the patients symptoms, his medical history, and the evidence currently available to suggest a worthwhile option.This practice lowers the probability of human errors and equips the providers with fresh evidence to facilitate decision-making, and, in the end, improves patient outcomes.The Future of AI in Health CareGiven that AI technology is evolving all of the time, it will have an ongoing role in healthcare that will expand exponentially. The potential advantages of AI to the healthcare industry are limitless: Enhance patient care, enhance workflows, reduce costs and allow for increasingly personalized care.While AI will never replace healthcare professionals, it will enhance workflows, drive more accurate decision-making about diagnoses, devise customized treatments, and improve patient outcomes.For healthcare professionals and health systems utilizing AI technology will be a necessity for staying competitive and to meet the demands of a continually changing healthcare landscape. As treatment improves and becomes a more affordable option for patients, the future of healthcare is looking increasingly promising.Final ThoughtsArtificial intelligence is not just a future concept, but rather it is here, and is already changing the way we do healthcare. Whether its being used in diagnostics and drug discovery, improving patient care, or personalizing treatment, AI is leading us into a healthier future.The sooner healthcare systems embrace the reality of AI, the sooner patients will have access to smarter, faster, and more efficient care. Are you ready to embrace AI in your healthcare practice or organization? The future is now and its time to act!