Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Impact of AI-Driven Diagnostics and Personalized Treatment Plans
By: Iyana Byrd
April 3rd, 2024
On April 13th, 2023, Jefferson Hospital embarked on a transformative journey in patient care, incorporating AI-driven devices to timesave treatment and enhance efficiency. This initiative aims to empower physicians with advanced technology, which allows them to assess patients remotely and issue resources more effectively, saving both time and costs.
Hydeia, a teacher at Wissahickon Charter School, has become well acquainted with the use of Ai chats for virtual meetings rather than scheduling in-person visits.
In discussing the use of AI chats for virtual meetings before seeing the doctor in person, many people like them because it saves time and allows them to go over concerns before the appointment.
¨I appreciate the convenience of AI-driven virtual meetings. It saves me time and allows me to discuss my health concerns before the actual appointment.¨ Hydeia said.
Reflecting on previous experiences with virtual healthcare services and what patients have dealt with involving the virtual meetings, many had good experiences and many experienced poor experiences.
The virtual meetings also impacted the relationship on the doctor and patient, resulting in lack of trust and comfortability. Patients expressed that virtual visits as less personal or caring and harder to establish empathy
¨I used virtual healthcare services like this almost one year ago when COVID-19 was making its way around. Virtual healthcare service prevented me from being affected with COVID and still allowed me to voice my concerns.¨ said Hydeia. ¨However, the video was very blurry and it was hard to see. Also, the communication between the doctor and I did not seem like she cared and the connection was continuously going in and out.¨
While most people see virtual meetings using AI as time saving and efficient, others would rather actually be inside the faculty to talk with their doctor because it gives more of a secure feeling.
¨Personally, I do not find AI chats convenient and helpful for discussing health concerns because conversations on that topic should be discussed in person and privately.¨ Hydeia said. ¨While using technology may be convenient in that it saves you gas or money traveling to the appointment, it lacks the emotions you need as a human being.¨
Focusing on the benefits of the option of virtual meetings using AI that people may really connect with is how easy it is to access it rather than wasting time out of your day for something that could be treated at home. As some people may have had anxiety or disabilities that makes it difficult to operate in person
¨Saving gas or public transportation money to get to your appointment. It is also more environmentally friendly knowing that you are not contributing to the Earth’s carbon footprint.¨ Said Hydeia. ¨As humans we tend to stress out before getting an answer, so an AI chat could potentially provide an answer to your concern that is significantly less severe than what you may have believed. Also, people with disabilities may find it more convenient and comfortable to ask an AI chat then having to go to the doctors in person."
Whether or not a patient chooses to do virtual meetings or in-person depends on them and the importance of their concern.
¨For routine consultations, I prefer virtual meetings for their convenience. However, for serious medical issues, I always opt for in-person visits to ensure a thorough examination." Hydeia said.
While AI-driven diagnostics and virtual meetings offer convenience and efficiency in healthcare, they also raise important considerations about the balance between technology and the human touch in patient care
¨While AI-driven diagnostics enhance efficiency, the human touch in healthcare remains irreplaceable, especially for complex medical issues.¨said Hydeia