Artificial intelligence (AI) is being heavily implemented in the healthcare realm, and with the help of AI chatbots, medical education and communication with providers may become easier than ever before.
New technologies are being implemented into the healthcare realm now more so than ever before. Of course, one of the many cutting-edge technologies in the forefront of this transformative epoch in healthcare is artificial intelligence (AI).
AI’s popularity has exploded in recent years, and it’s already making a significant impact on how people operate on a daily basis. Thanks to AI, anyone with a smartphone has 24/7 access to a virtual assistant capable of answering questions, reminding you where your car is parked, and even telling jokes. Businesses across the globe have now utilized AI to aid in a variety of tasks from generating art and creating social media posts to writing code and analyzing consumer trends.
The healthcare industry is no exception.
AI-powered medical devices are now helping to screen patients for a wide range of ailments. And lately, AI chatbots have become an essential tool for patient interactions.
What Are Healthcare Chatbots?
Much like a “normal” chatbot, healthcare chatbots are computer programs designed to aid in consumer interactions through the power of AI. But in the case of healthcare chatbots, the “consumer” is the patient, and the programs are designed to supply them with medical education and communication support. This is often achieved through text-based, human-like interactions, though some chatbots also incorporate voice interaction.
A healthcare chatbot is not only capable of scheduling appointments and managing prescriptions, but also supplying patients with vast amounts of medical knowledge.
The Benefits of Chatbots for Patient Use
Healthcare chatbots can aid in patient interactions in many ways, including:
Why Chatbots Are Not a Substitute for Human Providers
Healthcare chatbots are powerful tools that could become a fundamental aspect of patient interactions in the future. But while they make providers’ lives easier by helping to manage patient appointments and offering on-demand medical education, they are by no means a viable replacement for human providers. Patients require personalized care, and though chatbots can be a helpful at times, the information they provide is often generalized, outclassed by the traditional doctor-patient relationship.
Patients are encouraged to utilize healthcare chatbots, but not for medical guidance. Rather, they should use chatbots as a tool to expedite visits with providers while gaining critical medical knowledge along the way.
References:
Altamimi, I., Altamimi, A., Alhumimidi, A. S., Altamimi, A., & Temsah, M.-H. (2023, June 25). Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbots in medicine: A supplement, not a substitute. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10367431/
Basu, K., Sinha, R., Ong, A., & Basu, T. (2020). Artificial Intelligence: How is it Changing Medical Sciences and its future?. Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7640807/
Clark, M., & Bailey, S. (2024, January). Chatbots in health care: Connecting patients to information. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK602381/
Haque, M. D. R., & Rubya, S. (2023, May 22). An overview of chatbot-based mobile mental health apps: Insights from app description and user reviews. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10242473/
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being heavily implemented in the healthcare realm, and with the help of AI chatbots, medical education and communication with providers may become easier than ever before.