However you feel about the concept of artificial intelligence – whether you believe that the future of society depends on it or it will be destroyed – there is a general consensus that the technology is likely to benefit the health.
The use of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy in conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease has shown great promise, and a paper from the National Institutes of Health shows that artificial intelligence can has the potential to “establish the system of medicine.”
Investors certainly support that potential. Healthcare AI companies saw $2.8 billion invested in the first half of 2024, according to a report from Silicon Valley Bank, with capital investment for the sector expected to drop to $ 11.1 billion at the end of the year.
So where does the public feel about the use of artificial intelligence in hospitals, research and the doctor’s office, and what are some of the things we should consider to make the most of technology in that space?
Finding ‘care’ in health
When it comes to healthcare in the United States, there aren’t many reasons to be unhappy.
The difficulty in getting assignments, lack of communication and cost of use are some of the biggest concerns that Love Now Media found when talking to people who live in Philadelphia.
“A lot of it is just a breakdown in communication, like scheduling,” said Vita, from South Philadelphia. “That whole dilemma is, like, ‘Does my insurance cover this procedure?’ ”
“Sometimes it can be six months before you see a doctor, depending on where you live.”
Jessica, Philadelphia resident
Jessica, a recent move to the city, shared similar thoughts. “Definitely the setting, the lack of space, the lack of service,” Jessica said. “The reality is that sometimes it can take six-plus months to see a doctor, depending on where you live.”
Administrative work accounts for 25% of the $4 trillion in health care spending each year in the United States, according to a recent McKinsey report. The report suggests that AI is a way to significantly impact the customer by increasing productivity across the board, freeing up doctors and nurses to spend more time with patients.
Ironically, artificial intelligence may be what helps our healthcare system become more human.
What kinds of things make people feel cared for? Most of the answers were quite simple. Niani from North Philadelphia is looking for “a doctor who takes me seriously, clean facilities and friendly staff.”
Veronica in University City doesn’t seem to have much appeal.
“I think the most important thing is to have a stable relationship [and] trust,” said Veronica. “I want to know that my caregiver is taking care of me and is listening to me and is concerned for my well-being.”
AI is a health solution that depends on the problem
Only 40% of Americans are satisfied with their health care providers relying on artificial intelligence to make diagnoses and recommend treatments, according to a Pew survey from February 2023.
More respondents than not (55%) said they would trust AI to perform an accurate skin cancer diagnosis, however. And among those who believe there is bias in medicine, more than half felt artificial intelligence could eliminate some of that bias.
Lucy from West Philadelphia thinks AI can help in the telehealth space.
“I think it depends on the severity of the involvement,” Lucy told Love Now Media, “and what it involves. I always trust chatbots … I think it’s good if not the whole process.”
Selena from Havertown was also excited about the future potential of AI health care, and she recalled seeing presentations from medtech and health technology startups at the University’s new Science Center campus. , Venture Cafe.
“Some of the interesting things we’ve seen through Venture Cafe is that AI can … help with clinical trials so they can monitor you, and then report back to the doctor,” said a Selena. “This gives you instant information; you are not always waiting for those specific assignments.”
One doctor told the New York Times that he saw almost 90% of his insurance claims approved after using an AI tool, and about 10% before.
While there are concerns surrounding the use of AI in healthcare – data security and bias are two of the most pressing – there are some surprisingly simple applications that can be quickly discovered. a blessing, for patients and doctors.
There are now many traditional GPTs that aim to give patients peace of mind when interacting with healthcare providers by help clarify medical information and facilitate more effective conversations between patients and providers.
Also, if you wear an Apple Watch or other fitness/health monitor, you may be using AI to track sleep data, get an indication of an emergency heart attack, or collect Other methods can be very useful in your general care.
And doctors are using AI to advocate for their patients to insurers, post and post more powerful pre-authorization requests and deny waivers for care. One doctor told the New York Times that he saw nearly 90% of his insurance claims approved after using an AI tool, vs. about 10% first.
Love gets the last word
As this is the final story of a five-part series, I thought it would be appropriate to begin where we began. Although it focuses on artificial intelligence, love is always linear and guided by the will of each group.
The final question asked by Love Now Media was whether the interviewees had ever found love in the health care system. A few people talked about how they felt safe with their doctors and Lucy shared that her first doctor would hug her before and after visits.
I want to share my own story.
On September 26, 2022, I had a stroke. I was taken to Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA, where I stayed for three days.
At that time, many doctors, nurses and doctors were in and out of my room, all spent trying to understand what happened and why. Their love and compassion was evident, as they performed various expensive tests on someone who did not have health insurance at the time. I was never made to feel like my inability to pay in any way affected the level of care I received, which from personal experience has not always happened. .
Finally, we have not received an official answer – the final diagnosis is “cryptogenic ischemic stroke” – which is a nice way of saying “of unknown origin.” But I didn’t even pay for anything more than an ambulance ride and a low price I’m sure didn’t even begin to cover the cost of my stay.
I will forever be grateful for the love shown to me at that time, and I hope we never forget that there are some things that technology can never change.
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