Emmanuella Gabriel
INTRODUCTION
For decades, the field of healthcare has been transformed by advances in technology, from the invention of the X-ray to the development of the MRI. Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionise healthcare once again. From diagnostics to drug discovery, AI is transforming healthcare systems and improving outcomes for patients.
In this article, we will explore the profound impact of AI on healthcare, and how it’s shaping the future of medicine. Along the way, you’ll see how AI is already being used in real-world applications.
AI IN DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT
Imagine walking into a doctor's office with a persistent cough, and coming out with a diagnosis and treatment plan in minutes. No waiting for lab results or scans, no endless questions and tests -that is the power of AI!
The applications of AI in diagnostics are varied and numerous, but here are the most notable ones;
✅ Improved Accuracy Of Results: With the help of AI, doctors are able to make more accurate diagnosis than ever before. By analysing vast amounts of patient data, AI algorithms can detect patterns and trends that human doctors would otherwise miss. For instance, the IBM Watson for Oncology health system uses AI to analyse a patients’ medical data and recommend effective treatment. This technology has been shown to improve cancer diagnosis by up to 30%.
✅ Early Detection Of Diseases: Thanks to AI, doctors are able to detect warning signs of diseases much earlier, which means patients can get treatments sooner and have better outcomes. One example of AI being used for early detection of disease is the Google DeepMind Health system, which uses AI to analyse eye scans and detect early signs of diseases, like Diabetic Retinopathy.
✅ Personalized Medicine: This is an emerging field that uses a patient's individual characteristics, like genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle to tailor their treatment plan. By using AI to analyse this data, doctors can develop individualised treatment plans that are more effective and have fewer side effects. For example, AI is being used to develop personalized treatment plans for cancer patients based on their genetic makeup and the molecular makeup of their tumors.
✅ Predictive Analytics: Additionally, AI is also being used for predictive analytics. By analysing historical data, AI systems can predict the likelihood of a patient developing a disease, or experiencing a health complication. This allows doctors to take proactive measures to prevent these events from occurring.
AI IN DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT
In addition to its use in diagnostics, AI systems is also being used to identify patterns and trends that can lead to new drug discoveries. Here are some significant applications/ impacts of AI in drug discovery and development;
☑️ Accelerated Drug Discovery: The drug discovery process is known for its time-consuming nature. AI is speeding up this process by helping to find new treatments faster and more efficiently. The time-saving capabilities of AI in drug discovery can be illustrated by the DeepMind/Alpha Fold project. The project used AI to predict the structure of proteins, a task that previously took years to complete. This has enabled drug discovery to progress much more quickly, as protein structure is an important factor in understanding how a drug will interact with the body.
☑️ Compound Discovery: Another area where AI has had a significant impact is in compound discovery, the process of finding new chemical compounds or molecules that have the potential to become new drugs. AI is being used to screen large databases of chemical compounds, and identify those that have the potential to be used as medications or therapeutic agents.
☑️ Cost Reduction: One of the main ways that AI reduces cost in the drug discovery process is through Virtual Screening. Virtual Screening uses AI models to screen large numbers of drug candidates in a computer simulation, without the need for expensive lab experiments. This allows for a more cost-effective screening of potential drug candidates, saving companies money and time.
☑️ Predictive Modeling: This is a key aspect of the drug development process, that deals with predicting how a drug will interact with the body. Through data analytics, AI can create predictive models that can be used to understand the effects of a drug candidate on the body, and guide the development of new drugs.
☑️ Predictive Toxicology: In addition to predicting efficacy of drugs, AI is also being used to predict the safety of drugs. By analysing the structure of a drug and its target, AI can predict which drugs are likely to cause side effects, alongside the potential side effects. With this information, scientists can improve the safety of new drugs and prevent future complications.
AI IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
Artificial Intelligence {AI} is rapidly transforming healthcare sector, and its benefits are already being felt across the board. From improved patient care to increased operational efficiency, AI is making a huge impact on the way healthcare is delivered. Below are some key applications of AI in healthcare delivery today;
📍Virtual Health Assistants: AI driven virtual assistants are becoming increasingly prevalent, and are being used to provide round-the-clock support and information, which can be especially helpful to patients who live in remote areas or have mobility issues. They can be accessed via chat bots, voice assistants, or other digital tools. Virtual health assistants provide real-time health information, medication reminders, track health data like diet and exercise, monitor vital signs, and even detect falls. These capabilities can help patients stay on track with their health goals and make positive changes in their lives.
📍Remote Monitoring: This is a type of telehealth that uses technological devices, like wearables, smartphones, and home-based sensors to track a patient’s health remotely. AI enables remote monitoring of patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, etc., by collecting and transmitting health data.This allows healthcare providers to intervene promptly in case of anomalies and prevent future complications.
📍Medical Image Analysis: AI is being applied to a variety of medical imaging modalities, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of image interpretation. This is being achieved through the development of algorithms that can automatically detect and quantify abnormalities, as well as track changes over time. Additionally, AI is being used to develop new imaging techniques, allowing for more detailed images with non-invasive measures.
📍Dose Optimization: This is an approach that uses a patient's individual characteristics to determine the optimal dosage of a medication to optimize their treatment. By using AI to analyze a patient's genetic makeup, medical history, and other data, it is possible to determine the most effective drug and dosage for that individual. One example is the use of dose optimization in HIV treatment, where doctors use AI to tailor medication to each individual, based on their viral load, CD4 cell count and other factors. This has led to better control of the virus and fewer side effects.
📍Operational Efficiency: In addition to clinical applications, AI is being used to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems. For example, AI can be used to automate administrative tasks, manage patient flow, identify bottlenecks, and even predict when hospital beds will be needed. As a result, healthcare organizations can run more smoothly and improve the quality care for patients.
📍Improved Patient Experience: As more and more healthcare organizations adopt AI, it not only leads to better health outcomes for patients, but also improved experiences. The ability of AI to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis is leading to greater satisfaction among patients, who appreciate the increased efficiency and convenience it provides.
AI IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
Although AI is already being used in healthcare today, there’s still a lot of potential for how it could transform the future of healthcare. The possibilities are exciting, and it’s clear that AI will have a huge impact on doctors, patients and healthcare systems as a whole. Let’s take a look at some ways that AI could revolutionise healthcare in the future.
🔸AI-assisted Surgery/ Robotic Surgery: AI-assisted surgery is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to transform surgical operations in the future. This technology uses machine learning algorithms to guide surgeons during procedures, providing prompt feedback, assistance, and suggestions. For example, they might recommend a different surgical approach, or provide guidance on how to avoid damaging surrounding tissue. All of this is done in real-time, with the goal of improving safety and accuracy, and ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
🔸Virtual Nursing Assistants: These are AI-powered chat bots or voice assistants that provide support and assistance to patients. With the rapid evolvement of AI in healthcare, virtual nursing assistants are likely to become even more sophisticated and widespread. They may be able to monitor patients more closely, provide more detailed education, schedule appointments, and even make treatment recommendations, leading to improved patient satisfaction and reduced staff workload.
🔸Robot-assisted Rehabilitation/ Robotic Rehab: Another exciting future application of AI in healthcare is robot-assisted rehabilitation, which is a type of therapy that uses AI-powered robots to help patients recover from injuries/ ailments. The robots can provide assistance with exercises, provide feedback on progress, and even motivate patients to keep going. This type of therapy has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with a variety of conditions, including stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy.
🔸Smart Hospitals: As AI continues to develop, we can expect to see even more of its applications in hospitals, which can improve efficiency, safety and patient care. Some examples of smart hospital technologies to expect, include AI-powered robots for cleaning and delivering supplies, patient monitoring systems that use AI to detect changes in vital signs, and even AI powered chat bots that can answer questions and provide personalized health information to patients.
CONCLUSION
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already making a significant impact on healthcare, and the potential for future applications is vast. From improving the accuracy of diagnosis to creating personalized treatment plans, AI is revolutionising approaches to healthcare.
It is clear that AI is here to stay, and with continued innovation, it has the potential to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all.
