One of the most promising developments in healthcare AI is the development of remote patient monitoring tools such as symptom checkers, symptom assessments and digital self-exams.
These tools not only help redefine and improve patient experiences, they can potentially streamline patient flow, reduce healthcare disparities, and improve health outcomes through more personalized and accurate care recommendations.
This is especially significant at a time when health care availability is shrinking, highlighted by the closing of facilities such as Walmart Health Centers and other major providers. AI-powered tools offer the potential to fill these gaps by offering virtual consultations and remote monitoring, making healthcare not only accessible but also adaptable to the needs of diverse populations.
Amanda L. Bury is Chief Commercial Officer at Infirmedica, a digital health company specializing in AI-powered systems for symptom analysis and patient care.
Healthcare IT News spoke with Bury to discuss how the remote patient monitoring landscape lends itself to the use of artificial intelligence. She presented examples of AI tools being developed and used in the RPM field today.
She also discussed how AI combined with RPM can deliver more efficient care and reduce unnecessary burdens that hinder the patient experience – and how technology is essential in democratizing and ensuring access to advanced healthcare. is that all individuals, regardless of their geographical location, receive it in time. and effective care.
the question How does the remote patient monitoring landscape lend itself to the use of artificial intelligence?
A Remote patient monitoring has been a challenge for years due to the complexity and logistical hurdles faced by both patients and providers. Artificial intelligence has the potential to ease these barriers and significantly improve how patients interact with their health information.
One of the biggest hurdles in RPM is helping patients generate large amounts of data. AI-powered tools can turn this data into personalized insights that are easy for patients to understand. Instead of being overwhelmed with information, patients can receive clear, actionable advice tailored to their specific health conditions, making their care more meaningful and accessible.
AI also has the power to revolutionize the early detection of health issues through RPM, especially for patients with chronic illnesses or multi-morbidities. Traditionally, these patients need to attend multiple sessions, often requiring time and transportation to clinics where older technologies are manually evaluated.
Now, AI and modern RPM technology allow continuous monitoring from the comfort of home. AI can analyze real-time data to find subtle changes or patterns that might indicate a problem before it escalates. This enables health care providers to intervene early, improving outcomes and reducing hospitalizations.
In addition, AI’s ability to continuously process and analyze data enables more dynamic attention pathways. Instead of waiting for scheduled visits to track progress, AI can provide instant feedback to both patients and care teams. For example, if a patient’s glucose levels are high, AI can prompt timely interventions such as medication adjustments.
This level of proactive and personalized attention would be difficult to achieve without AI-powered RPM. Additionally, AI can simplify the user experience, make RPM devices more intelligent with voice commands and automated readings, drive wider adoption and ultimately make healthcare more efficient, accessible and personalized.
Q: What are some examples of AI tools being developed or used in the RPM field today?
A AI tools are changing the RPM field by offering solutions to some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges, such as care shortages and limited access to providers. One tool gaining traction is the telehealth kiosk, which while not entirely new, is being used in very meaningful ways.
This kiosk allows patients to be triaged for low-acuity conditions outside of traditional healthcare settings. Placed in convenient locations such as malls, pharmacies and workplaces, they bring healthcare directly to patients, offering quick and accessible care. This not only improves access but also reduces the burden on providers by addressing minor concerns on the spot.
AI-powered diagnostic devices inside pods and kiosks can perform services such as blood work and vital signs monitoring. Overall, AI-powered tools like these make RPM more accessible and effective.
They provide immediate health guidance to patients, reduce the need for emergency room visits, and ease the burden on overworked providers. With continuous monitoring and real-time data analysis, these tools empower patients to effectively manage their health while helping the healthcare system become more streamlined and responsive.
the question You say AI combined with RPM can drive more efficient, patient-centered care and reduce unnecessary burdens that hinder the patient experience. so how
A It can do this by simplifying the care process and reducing unnecessary burdens on patients. In our first exploratory study, we focused on five leading causes of death – heart attack, stroke, asthma, pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. These are situations where early detection can mean the difference between life and death.
AI can analyze a lot of data from RPM devices to identify subtle warning signs and help prevent these serious conditions before they develop. For example, our symptom checker is a tool designed to help patients when they feel under the weather. It can identify patterns in symptoms that point to a more serious underlying issue, providing valuable insight that might otherwise go unnoticed.
AI is also helping to improve the patient experience by integrating with everyday devices such as the Aura Ring or smartwatches, which are now widely accepted and can be connected to many patient applications. This wearable monitors heart rate, sleep patterns and physical activity, all without the patient having to manually track or report their data.
Clinicians can tap into this data to better understand a patient’s daily activities and overall health status, leading to more informed care decisions. This means that patients do not need to constantly self-report or show up in person for examinations, reducing their burden while still providing important, real-time information to doctors.
By using AI to seamlessly integrate these tools into other systems, we create caregiving pathways that reduce the need for in-person visits and prevent long-term cost overruns. AI can process and filter what is most important to clinicians, helping them prioritize their care to the patients who need it most.
This allows for more efficient trials and ensures that the most urgent cases get to the top of their workload, improving overall efficiency and reducing the risk of overlooking critical conditions. By using AI in this way, we can reduce morbidity, improve patient outcomes and streamline the entire care experience.
question More broadly, you suggest that advanced technology is necessary to democratize access to health care and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their geographic location, receive timely and effective care. How does this change work today?
A I have had the unique opportunity to see how health care is consumed and delivered in more than 30 countries around the world, and it is clear that a shift toward technology-advanced health care is necessary to democratize access to care. In many government-led programs, we are seeing efficient and effective patient trial methods at scale.
This transformation is driven by channel-specific delivery methods that leverage continuous capabilities, ensuring that care is delivered no matter how the patient seeks care – whether via telehealth, in-person visits or remote monitoring. Reliable and timely. Technology plays an important role in ensuring that people have access to quality healthcare, regardless of geographic location.
One of the ways that government-led programs achieve this is through health literacy and the proper training of its citizens. The National Institutes of Health recommends that health materials be written at a sixth through seventh grade reading level, which is critical because health literacy levels are often lower than we expect. AI tools play an important role in bridging this gap.
Patients, especially in rural or low-income areas, need support to understand their health information and make informed decisions about their care. AI can take complex medical data and translate it into digestible, personalized insights, ensuring patients are connected to the right level of care regardless of whether they’re in an urban hospital or a rural clinic.
This change is also about ensuring equal access to health care. Using AI and continuous testing methods, we find ways of care that are adaptable to the needs of different populations. AI helps remove barriers to care by integrating tools that connect patients with clinicians in real time, even in remote settings.
This ensures that whether a person lives in a big city or a rural area, they can receive timely and effective care, guided by AI systems that help them on their health journey. This technology-advanced approach makes healthcare more comprehensive and equitable for all.
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Email him at: bsiwicki@himss.org
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