H E A L T H I N S I G H T S be accessed faster . This was highlighted in the COVID-19 pandemic where a variety of existing drugs were used to improve the conditions of patients .
Improving practicalities in healthcare
Machine Learning-powered tools , such as chatbots and virtual assistants , offer enormous potential in optimising administrative systems in healthcare . There is great potential for this technology from streamlining testing in emergency departments to assisting radiologists in prioritising critical cases .
Many emergency departments around the world are overwhelmed with cases but it is often hard to identify efficiently which patients need immediate attention and which do not . Equipping medical professionals with the technological capabilities to triage cases has the potential to significantly reduce pressure on overburdened systems .
Ultimately , by enhancing and improving the efficiency of these processes , both everyday healthcare and critical care departments can reduce delays in treatment and optimise resource allocation .
More broadly beyond clinical care , these technologies can revolutionise administrative processes by eliminating manual data entry and improving clinical documentation . This will go some way in improving vital cost savings for healthcare bodies , such as the NHS and enhancing their efficiencies .
Identifying biomarkers through wearable devices
One notable project of the QCRI team is an ongoing study funded by the Qatar National Research Funds on the benefits of utilising wearable data from devices like smartwatches to manage type 2 diabetes – assessing how lifestyle interventions based on wearable data can contribute to the prevention and even reversal of type 2 diabetes . Real-time tracking of biomarkers like heart rate through wearable devices and sensors , empower people to keep tabs on their well-being and make informed decisions . Further to this – with even more advanced technology – life-changing monitoring such as continuous glucose
tracking for diabetes management , AI-powered electrocardiogram analysis for cardiovascular health or even evaluations of neurocognitive function has been made possible .
If leveraged correctly , these capabilities can improve healthcare considerably – providing customised treatment and enhancing patient outcomes by analysing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns and deviations that are unable to be detected by humans .
Envisioning the future of healthcare
Despite its potential , implementing AI in healthcare is not without challenges . It is vital to acknowledge the importance of equity and transparency , as well as urge caution in placing too much trust in technology-driven decisions .
Ensuring that AI benefits are accessible to all and are used ethically requires thoughtful policies and regulations . As AI continues to gain traction in healthcare , extensive research and validation across diverse populations is needed to build confidence in its effectiveness and reliability .
Saying this , technology has and will continue to transform the future of healthcare and technology-backed systems will serve as smart , fast and reliable assistants to healthcare professionals , leading to improved patient care and optimised clinical outcomes . �
Dr Mohamad Saad , Senior Research Scientist , Centre for Artificial Intelligence , Qatar Computing Research Institute ( QCRI ) at the Qatar Foundation
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