The idea of handing over responsibility for our healthcare to a machine might sound frightening, but with doctors still at the helm, developments in tech could save time and, crucially, lives.
The latest solutions in remote care and at-home devices may help people avoid hospital stays, while still receiving first-class medical treatment. In addition, technology designed to gather data from patients may lead to more personal, timely interventions before minor problems become serious.
How can tech and AI improve patient outcomes today?
- Precision: The ability to analyse someone’s DNA to identify those at risk of certain conditions and provide targeted interventions.
- Remote care: The ability to monitor patients remotely in real time can lead to more information being gathered leading to more personalised treatment.
- Technological support: Tech that enables patients to better manage health problems and conditions could help us take more responsibility for our own healthcare.
- Analysis: Artificial intelligence (AI) can help doctors to speed up medical data analysis and reach conclusions on patient care more quickly and efficiently.
What’s on the horizon?
- Artificial pancreas: Anyone with diabetes knows the constant vigilance and monitoring required to stay healthy. But some patients may soon be able to hand over this daily responsibility to technology. The so-called artificial pancreas is a device that automatically checks glucose levels and adjusts insulin levels through a pump. This improves the precision of dose, while enhancing quality of life for diabetics. Rollout of this device started in April this year.
- Remote blood pressure monitoring: High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke, so timely intervention can be a lifesaver. This is where Florence, a messaging service developed by NHS Lothian, comes in. It enables eligible patients to submit regular blood pressure readings from home. Readings are then submitted to healthcare professionals and, if a problem is identified, interventions can made.
- AI for brain scans: The idea of AI helping to diagnose problems with the brain might sound a little concerning. But for stroke victims, AI could significantly improve outcomes. Studies have been conducted on Brainomix, a new AI tool used to analyse brain scans alongside doctor care. The results are promising, with the studies finding that the time in which treatment is administered has been reduced. This has the potential to can significantly improve patient outcomes.
- AI for heart scans: CaRi Heart, a new AI tool, has been developed to help cardiologists analyse CT scans of patients’ Through close analysis, the tool provides doctors with a patient’s personalised risk profile for having a heart attack within the next eight years. By giving an advance heads-up, cardiologists will be able to better identify at-risk patients earlier.
- Enhanced cancer treatment: Clinicians can use AI to help with radiotherapy treatment on cancer patients. AI technology aids clinicians in identifying healthy organs that need to be protected from radiation before treatment. This may mean a reduction in the time between referral and treatment, which is crucial to improving patient outcomes.
- Virtual ward beds: This seem like something from a sci-fi novel, but ‘virtual wards’ is the term used to describe patients who are closely monitored at home using technology to remotely deliver hospital-level care. So far, the NHS has rolled out 10,000 virtual ward beds. Patients or their carers can provide regular health readings to healthcare providers from home, meaning patients can be closely monitored without the need for hospital admission.
What’s next? Robot doctors?
Probably not, but research is into the use of robotics in the care sector is underway. The University of Hertfordshire is researching a specially developed robot house. This facility enables new robotics and technology to be tested in a simulated home setting. Systems monitor activity within the home, feeding information to care robots who can then offer appropriate support.
Human activity is tracked through sensors on appliances and different places in the home, such as kitchen drawers, while motion sensors and cameras keep an eye on the residents.
Nothing can entirely replace human contact and company in a care setting. But tech solutions are likely to play a bigger role in healthcare in the coming years. Used in the right way, to support and inform medical professionals, this technology could improve outcomes and enable more people to get targeted treatment without having to leave their homes.
