The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing in every industry, and healthcare is no exception. It is estimated that AI in healthcare will reach over $95 billion in value by 2028. That’s more than 14 times higher than its 2021’s value of $6.6 billion. One of the most prominent examples of AI nowadays is chatbot technology.
A chatbot is an automated program that uses AI to simulate conversations with human beings over the internet. Chatbots help businesses manage large amounts of customer queries. They do so by processing data from existing databases or other systems like customer relationship management (CRM) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This technology allows companies like Facebook and Amazon to provide customer service through messaging apps.
Chatbot technology is new, but it’s already picking up pace in the medical industry. Diversido, a software development company that specializes in healthcare products, has seen a significant rise in the use of intelligent bots in health applications. Both startups and existing projects are striving to make the most of this promising technology.
In this article, we’ll explore the ways chatbot development services help medical institutions to improve patient care today. We’ll look at the main benefits of using them and the role intelligent chatbots might play in the future of medicine.
What Is the Role of Chatbots in Healthcare?
With over 92% of American doctors using some form of digital health tools, AI has become a critical component of patient care. The use of AI makes it easier for patients to interact with their healthcare providers. By providing quick access to information, AI can help people manage their health more effectively.
In healthcare, chatbots are used to improve the doctor-patient relationship and provide better care by using machine learning (ML) algorithms. Healthcare chatbots can help patients avoid missing appointments or forgetting to take medication. Instead of waiting for a doctor or nurse to become available, patients can address their questions to a bot.
For practitioners, chatbots can reduce the number of phone calls while increasing efficiency. Chatbots have access to patient information at all times and do not have to manually search through databases or folders of paperwork, which may not always be updated.
Advantages Chatbots Providing to Both — Patients and Healthcare Providers
Chatbot technology is a game-changer for the healthcare industry. Here is the list of benefits that chatbots can bring to patients and practitioners:
- Reduced waiting times. Chatbots can decrease waiting times by providing patients with an easy way to access information, schedule appointments, and check their health records.
- Minimize unnecessary costs. Chatbots can help patients understand their conditions and reduce the need for unnecessary tests and treatments.
- Reduction of care prices. Chatbots can help healthcare providers manage their practices better. This will reduce the overall price of medical care.
- Chatbots can provide patients with a safe and anonymous way to share their concerns about their health.
- Improving diagnostic accuracy. Chatbots can help healthcare providers improve their diagnostic accuracy by gathering and analyzing information from patients and large datasets.
- Smoothing insurance issues. Healthcare chatbots can make getting healthcare claims approved a smooth and hassle-free process for patients.
- Improving patient satisfaction. Chatbots can help healthcare providers improve their patient satisfaction and loyalty by providing timely and intelligent solutions.
- Chatbots are capable of serving many customers simultaneously without sacrificing quality or increasing cost.
Those are some of the many benefits of using healthcare chatbots for both patients and doctors.
Intelligent Chatbots — Still Not Ideal?
Chatbots are still in their infancy, so don’t expect them to fully replace human interaction. Some people remain skeptical about chatbots’ capabilities and usefulness.
Some fear that the use of chatbots for diagnosing and communicating with patients may lead to the deterioration of these skills among physicians. Others claim that intelligent bots aren’t always accurate with their answers. It can lead to confusion in users and delays in accessing important information quickly, especially in emergencies.
How Are Chatbots Being Used in Medical Care in Practice?
The technology behind chatbots is used in the medical industry for the administration of patient experiences, answering health questions, and automation of repetitive, time-consuming processes.
Administration of Patient Experience
Many healthcare organizations are using chatbots to help navigate healthcare services, book appointments, find the correct medical forms, and assist with refilling prescriptions. The goal here is to make sure that patients receive the best possible care by providing an interface where they can ask questions, update their information, or just report on their current status.
Healthcare Information Database
The use of chatbots has led to a dramatic increase in efficiency among health professionals who are tasked with entering medical data into databases like electronic medical records (EMRs). It results in fewer mistakes due to human error and less time spent on data entry.
Automated Medical Care
Chatbots are used to automate repetitive and time-consuming processes. Chatbots streamline patient care by setting vaccination reminders, saving health information, managing documentation and diagnosis, and collecting data from patients — all in one place.
Assistance in Finding Healthcare Services
Chatbots help patients find their way around the hospital or clinic, answer questions about appointments and procedures, and provide information on how to stay healthy. Chatbots also perform triaging to match patients with appropriate services. They ask patients questions to find the best possible treatment for their medical condition.
What Chatbot Technology Promises for the Industry in the Future
The use of chatbots in healthcare is promising. As chatbots become more and more intelligent, their capabilities will increase to the point where they can solve complex problems. For example, in the future, chatbots could be used to diagnose patients by analyzing symptoms or performing physical examinations. They could also be used to assist doctors by offering suggestions for treatment options or providing information about new drugs that may help with a patient’s condition.
