Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Healthcare Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) will become increasingly more integrated into healthcare technology, according to the Future Healthcare Journal. This is because of the growing complexity and amount of medical data that needs to be managed. Applications of this technology in healthcare currently include diagnostic and treatment-related activities; administrative actions; patient engagement; and more.

This post explores AI in healthcare, in general, as well as machine learning, more specifically—as well as what this could mean for the capabilities of electronic health record (EHR) software.

Artificial Intelligence Definition

At a high level, AI uses the power of computers to mimic the human mind: in problem solving, decision making, and more. With AI, computer systems—fed with strong databases—leverage inputs to create predictive outputs.

AI is really an umbrella term that contains within itself a number of dynamic technologies. One of these is machine learning, a term closely related to deep learning.

Machine Learning Definition

Machine learning is one of the most common forms of AI, where computer science meets statistics. Technology is harnessed to create models from relevant data and then extrapolate from information gleaned. In the healthcare industry, machine learning plays a key role as medical professionals analyze what treatments might work best for a patient. This occurs as machine learning applications apply unique patient data to see where it most closely meshes with available treatment protocols. Predictive machine learning, meanwhile, can provide a doctor with insights into the likelihood that a particular patient will develop a certain disease.

Deep Learning Definition

Deep learning is a subset of machine learning, both under the AI umbrella. Deep learning is a scalable form of machine learning that requires less human inputs to operate. In other words, it’s a more automated type of machine learning capable of much more intricate modeling.

Potential of AI and Machine Learning in Healthcare

The study published in Future Healthcare Journal notes that multiple studies have already shown how AI can diagnose disease more effectively than professionals can. AI algorithms, for example, already outperform radiologists at finding malignant tumors. Deep learning can process literally thousands of data points in models, invaluable when diagnosing cancerous tumors. This form of AI uses radiomics that allows detection of lesion cells beyond what a person could see. The journal article predicts, though, that it will take years before AI will play a broad role in healthcare.

Additional AI Applications

Although much of today’s AI usage in healthcare consists of using machine learning and deep learning, plenty more applications are already in operation. For example, natural language processing is allowing researchers to create and classify clinical documentation while analyzing unstructured patient notes, transcribing interactions, creating reports and more.

Rule-based systems are going far beyond the baseline “if-then” rules that have been used in clinical decision making. Sophisticated machine learning algorithms are becoming integrated into technology, ones that can accurately manage a large number of rules.

The use of surgical robots will become increasingly more valuable to surgeons. Sometimes, the robots will feature AI brains—and these capabilities are still in their infancy.

AI technology can gather information from EHR systems and smart devices to create individualized treatments, helping to garner patient buy-in as real-life data is leveraged to present them with targeted choices. Recommendations and choices can then be communicated to healthcare providers.

AI applications will also increasingly streamline administrative tasks, including clinical documentation, claims processing, revenue management, and more.

More About AI and Electronic Health Records

Physicians, on average, spend 62 percent of their time, per patient, reviewing electronic health records. Freeing up the time of medical professionals could allow them to spend more time on quality patient care, and appropriate AI solutions are being developed to help achieve this.

Researchers have already created a beta AI system to streamline data retrieval to improve the patient experience while helping physicians to avoid burnout. The system was tested at Stanford University. Twelve gastroenterologists sought answers for twenty-two questions with the AI system saving them 18 percent more time with no significant difference in accuracy. Plus, eleven of the twelve doctors preferred the AI system.

In another study, researchers observed whether the creation of the large EHR that focused on lung cancer data would allow doctors to make more accurate predictions. The AI tool had a predictive rate of 94.4 percent. Plus, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute developed a deep learning application that can predict how a lung cancer patient would respond to different therapies. Currently, the only way to gather this kind of information is through an invasive biopsy, making the deep learning model a true game changer.

Numerous other studies are being conducted to determine the best ways to combine the power of AI and EHR applications to enhance patient care in meaningful ways. As AI technology merges with EHR software, healthcare organizations will need highly skilled experts on their IT teams—as an EHR consulting company, we’re keeping a keen eye on these developments. We’ll ensure that you’ll have access to exactly the kind of professionals you need to maximize your healthcare technology.

HealthTECH Resources: Forward-Thinking EHR Consulting Company

The healthcare industry is already being transformed through AI, including but not limited to machine learning and deeper learning—and yet, we’re still in the early days of development. As technologies evolve, your healthcare organization will need experienced professionals to fill in knowledge gaps, and that’s exactly our specialty here at HealthTECH Resources.

Experts in our deep and wide network will assist your IT team and organization in deciphering the best ways to leverage AI enhancements in your electronic medical records. Training specialists can share advancements with your employees, explaining them in clear language in practical role-base ways.

To find the experts you need, please contact us online today or call us at (602) 903-7961. As a boutique-style EHR consulting company, we can provide fast and accurate staff augmentation services to healthcare organizations—even with stringent requirements. We offer in-demand professionals with unsurpassed experience as consultants, contract-to-hire professionals, and permanent placements.