Can AI be applied to revolutionise healthcare and medical outcomes?

The healthcare industry is on the brink of a transformative era driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to revolutionise healthcare and medical outcomes, enhancing patient care, improving diagnostic accuracy, and streamlining administrative processes. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian healthcare market, which was valued at $ 110 billion in 2016 is now projected to reach $ 638 billion by 2025. The healthcare sector, as of 2024, is one of India’s largest employers, employing a total of 7.5 million people. The demand for Indian healthcare professionals is expected to double nationally and globally by 2030

AI enables personalised treatment plans by analysing genetic, lifestyle, and medical data. Studies show that precision medicine can improve patient outcomes by up to 30 per cent, particularly in oncology, where AI-driven genetic analysis helps identify effective therapies.

For students, the future scope of AI healthcare is vast. Careers in AI research, data analysis, and bioinformatics are burgeoning fields. Universities are increasingly offering specialised courses in AI and healthcare informatics, preparing students for roles in developing innovative AI solutions. By 2025, it’s estimated that AI could create 58 million new jobs, many in healthcare, offering a promising future for students entering this interdisciplinary field.

AI in diagnosing illnesses

One of the best uses of AI in healthcare is diagnosing diseases. AI programs, especially those using deep learning, are incredibly good at reading medical images like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. They can spot diseases such as cancer, broken bones, and brain disorders with accuracy that matches or even beats human doctors. AI tools can catch these conditions early, allowing for quick treatment.

AI can also quickly analyse huge amounts of data, spotting patterns that human doctors might miss. For example, AI can look at electronic health records (EHRs) to predict if a patient might develop certain diseases based on their medical history. This ability helps doctors offer more personalised and proactive care, preventing severe health problems.

Personalised treatment plans

AI goes beyond diagnosing; it helps create personalised treatment plans. Traditional treatments often use a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not work for everyone. AI looks at individual patient data, such as genetics, lifestyle, and how they respond to treatments, to tailor therapies specifically for them. This method, called precision medicine, makes treatments more effective and reduces side effects.

Enhancing clinical decision-making

AI is also changing how doctors make decisions. AI systems can analyse a lot of medical research, guidelines, and patient data to give doctors the best advice based on the latest scientific evidence. These systems keep learning from new data, ensuring that doctors always have the most up-to-date information, which is particularly important for fast-changing fields like infectious diseases.

Simplifying administrative work

Besides helping with patient care, AI is making administrative tasks easier. Scheduling appointments, billing, and processing insurance claims can take up a lot of time and are prone to errors. AI can automate these tasks, making them faster and more accurate, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patients.

AI can also manage medical records better. Using natural language processing (NLP), AI can transcribe and summarise doctors’ notes, ensuring that patient records are accurate and up-to-date. This improves communication between healthcare providers and ensures continuous care.

Challenges and ethical issues

Despite its potential, AI in healthcare comes with challenges and ethical concerns. Protecting patient data is crucial because healthcare information is very sensitive. AI systems need to be transparent and understandable to build trust among doctors and patients.

Implementing AI in healthcare also requires a lot of investment in infrastructure and training. Healthcare workers need to learn how to use AI tools and understand their results. Addressing these challenges is essential to fully benefit from AI in healthcare.

As AI continues to develop, its use in healthcare will lead to more efficient, effective, and personalised patient care. Using AI in healthcare boosts human abilities. This means doctors and patients can concentrate more on promoting health and delivering care, without getting bogged down by tedious tasks. Ultimately, it helps us focus more on the human side of healthcare while managing and understanding vast amounts of data. This has the potential to improve the quality, safety, outcomes, and value of care. However, it’s important to handle the challenges and ethical issues carefully to ensure AI is used responsibly and fairly, creating a healthier future for everyone.