How AI Is Transforming Your Health Visit

AI and the Future of Health Care

Among the many ways artificial intelligence (AI) is changing daily life, health care may have the most promise. From scheduling appointments to providing general health advice, AI could transform the way you interact with your provider – and how you receive care.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways AI is changing each phase of your health visit.

Before Your Visit

AI tools like chatbots are already affecting the way many patients make decisions about their care. According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than one fifth of Americans have sought health advice from an AI technology, and almost two thirds say they would be comfortable doing so.

While patients should avoid acting on AI-generated health advice without first consulting their health care provider, AI can play a positive role in your wellbeing by:

• Helping you understand your symptoms
• Providing healthy lifestyle advice
• Recommending the right place to get care
• Preparing you for your health visit

When interacting directly with your care team, some technologies can do the work of a clerical assistant, helping you schedule appointments and even sending you messages reminding you when it’s time for a routine health check or screening – all based on your individual needs.

During Your Visit

Direct interactions with your provider are still the tried-and-true way of sharing health information and receiving health advice, but AI can assist your care team in the delivery of some services, such as testing.

Normally, when you get X-rays or other scans, specialists manually examine your images for abnormalities. AI tools can automate that process by digitally scanning images and identifying issues as well. This increases the chances of catching problems early and ensuring you get the care you need right away.

Some chatbots, especially those trained specifically on high-quality health information, can provide physicians an additional resource as they work to synthesize your symptoms, medical history and personal needs. While your doctor will always be the one making the final decision on your care, an AI-powered tool could help them make better-informed decisions and more effective treatment recommendations.

After Your Visit

Even after you go home, AI continues to shape your visit with your care team. Many physicians are using technology to streamline routine but cumbersome tasks that are nonetheless vital to ensuring you get the care you need.

AI-scribing technology can make tasks like note-taking easier, ensuring all documentation accurately reflects what happens before, during and after your visits. According a report from the American Medical Association, roughly two-thirds of physicians also report using AI to complete other functions, including:

• Billing
• Discharge instructions
• Prior authorizations

While the benefit to patients may not be apparent at first glance, these tools allow your care team to focus their time and attention on ensuring you receive the highest-quality care possible.

There are still important issues to sort out when it comes to AI in health care, including information accuracy and data privacy concerns, but already it’s transforming the way patients interact with their physicians – and improving the quality of the care they receive.