Just as ChatGPT and Meta AI are becoming integral parts of our daily lives, the health sector too is witnessing its impact. While some might argue that AI can never replace the human touch, it’s undeniable that its influence is growing.
From streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing diagnostic accuracy to crafting personalized treatment plans, AI is delving deeper into the healthcare realm, even into the surgery rooms.
It cannot overpower the intelligence, experience, and compassion of a healthcare provider, indeed. However, the dawn of the AI era is clearly making waves in various facets of healthcare.
In this article, we’ll explore a range of AI tools that are reshaping patient care and transforming the healthcare landscape.
AI Tools & Technologies
AI for Health Predictions
Wouldn’t it be great if we could know what diseases we might face in the future? It may sound scary, but having that knowledge can help us prevent them through lifestyle changes.
Have you heard about AI-enabled stethoscopes that predict heart failure? Likewise, there are several AI prediction tools available, such as those that predict the risk of genetic mutations, assess knee osteoarthritis severity from X-ray images, and forecast cancer drug responses at the single-cell level. It can also predict irregular heartbeats 30 minutes in advance, and determine how cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy, among many others.
AI for Precision Oncology
Did you know in 2023, India reported approx 9.16 Lakh deaths due to cancer? Per reports, the number of new cancer cases is expected to increase by 12.8% by 2025, reaching around 1.57 million cases per year.
How about a tool that offers specialized medical services ensuring accurate diagnosis, real-time insights, cancer risk assessment, treatment protocols, and a seamless continuum of care? That's precisely what AI for precision oncology delivers.
Screening With AI
AI is revolutionizing healthcare, especially in screening and treatment, by leveraging advanced pattern recognition and predictive analytics. These tools are game-changers, enabling early detection of diseases, which leads to timely interventions, better patient outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs.
For instance, C3 MedTech has introduced portable devices that offer quick eye check-ups and real-time detection of eye diseases. In another instance, SenseToKnow App, powered by AI screens autism in children by analyzing a variety of distinct behavioral indicators.
The impact of these screening tools is particularly profound in cancer cases, where the mortality rate in India remains high.
AI-Based Health App
Every other day, new applications are launched that aim to address health problems. Some offer skin solutions, others provide medical advice from doctors, and some even ask you questions to diagnose potential health issues. Certain apps scan your eye to measure how well it can distinguish shapes and details at specific distances, a common evaluation of visual function.
Others deliver comprehensive health solutions, tracking both prescription and over-the-counter medications while offering important, relevant information and tips about these medications, all powered by AI technology.
AI Chatbot for Health
Imagine having a personal assistant available 24/7 to help with your health questions, from healthy habits to mental well-being. AI chatbots are making this possible, empowering individuals to take control of their health journey.
One standout example is VizzhyGPT, an innovative Indian creation. VizzhyGPT offers extensive multilingual support, handling a variety of languages with ease. It focuses on healthcare by interpreting the latest clinical trials, understanding proteomics, and providing updates on current treatment protocols for specific diseases. It even simplifies tasks like summarizing interactions between patients and doctors, making health management a breeze.
AI-Powered Diagnostics
Today, numerous AI tools are enhancing diagnostic capabilities, from AI-enabled stethoscopes to AI-backed CT scanners. These innovations have advanced diagnostic efficiency across various fields. Two Indian companies leading the way in AI-driven diagnostics have shared their insights—
Qure.ai’s tools, ranging from X-ray solutions to TB and stroke treatment, are making a significant impact. Prashant Warrier, Co-founder & CEO, Qure.ai, said, “At Qure.ai, we are dedicated to leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to advance healthcare. Our AI-powered solutions are designed to enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce treatment times, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. By integrating advanced ML algorithms into routine clinical workflows, we enable healthcare providers to make faster, more informed decisions. This not only alleviates the burden on medical professionals but also ensures that patients receive timely and effective care.”
Meanwhile, DeepTek.ai’s AI-based chest X-ray solution, 'Augmento,' is also proving to be influential. Speaking about it, Ajit Patil, Co-founder, DeepTek.ai, said, “DeepTek’s Augmento X-Ray provides comprehensive chest coverage, precisely analyzing lungs, pleura, cardiac structures, and detecting foreign objects. Its interactive and explainable AI interface, coupled with automated structured reporting technology, allows radiologists to generate detailed, quantifiable reports with just a click. The solution uses intelligent algorithms to sort X-rays based on detected abnormalities, optimizing their time and ensuring that critical cases receive immediate attention. This advanced functionality not only streamlines workflows but also ensures that critical details—such as the location and size of pathologies—are accurately identified and reported, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.’’
AI for Remote Patient Monitoring
AI is really changing the game for remote patient monitoring (RPM), especially in places where advanced medical care is hard to come by. Take Dozee's Early Warning System (EWS), for instance. It uses AI to keep an eye on vital signs and give a heads-up to doctors if something’s off, so they can step in quickly. This kind of tech is a huge win for India, where many people in rural areas lack access to quality healthcare services. With AI stepping in, we’re making sure that even the most remote places aren’t left behind when it comes to health support.
AI-Powered Health Insurance
Health is a big deal for all of us, and insurance plays a crucial role in that. Even though there’s still some debate about GST on health insurance, several companies including ICICI are stepping up by using AI to keep things modern and personalized.
The AI looks at your details and recommends the best coverage for you, so your policy fits your specific health and financial needs perfectly.
AI for Mental Healthcare
AI is revolutionizing mental health care with innovative tools such as voice-based diagnostics that analyze mental health from a 60-second voice sample, regardless of language. Therapy chatbots such as Tess, Wysa, and Woebot are helping reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. United We Care (UWC) also introduced Stella 2.0, a virtual wellness coach, that enhances affordable mental health screening and early detection.
AI Tools for Streamlining Healthcare
Lastly, AI has proven to be significantly efficient in terms of streamlining healthcare. Tools now assist with everything from wayfinding to reducing the documentation load for nurses. Some AI solutions transcribe, analyze, and summarize interactions between healthcare providers and patients, making note-taking simpler for doctors. Taking it a step further, NVIDIA and Hippocratic AI are offering AI-generated nurses for just $9 an hour worldwide.
Wrapping Up
AI is undeniably reshaping healthcare, enhancing everything from diagnostics to mental health support, and even streamlining patient care. While it cannot replace the human touch, its ability to optimize processes, personalize treatments, and predict health outcomes is transforming the way we approach medicine.
As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise not just to assist but to revolutionize the healthcare industry, making it more efficient, accessible, and effective for everyone.
