PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For decades, Americans have been told that connecting doctors’ offices and hospitals by computer technology would improve care. Certainly, there have been benefits — but nothing near the level of success seen in other industries.
The major problem is that billing and malpractice protection are the primary features that health care programs are built around.
Artificial intelligence can streamline tedious tasks — like scheduling appointments, tracking patient histories, analyzing test results, reviewing insurance claims — which can saving time and money and reduce stress for both physician and patient.
However, health care technologies tend to focus on discrete data points rather than the transfer of ideas over time, and artificial intelligence and voice recognition capabilities have often been placed on the back burner.
The good news is that the foundation has been built. But if any of us is expecting better care and improved outcomes, the focus will need to change.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.