Healthcare Chatbots: Streamlining Patient Care and Communication

Author

Michael Ridland

Category

AI, Health

Date

09 / 05 / 2024

AI is revolutionising the healthcare industry by analysing vast amounts of data to improve diagnoses, personalising treatment plans, and streamlining administrative tasks. And chatbots have become a huge part of this. Advanced AI and ML development empowers chatbots to act as virtual assistants, offering 24/7 support by answering questions, scheduling appointments, and providing personalised health information. Healthcare AI chatbots are increasingly being integrated into doctor’s surgeries, hospital websites, patient portals, and more to provide constant support and access to information. Chatbots streamline patient care and communication, keep patients connected throughout their healthcare journey, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.

What is a Healthcare Chatbot?

Healthcare chatbots are born from a collaboration between AI and ML development. AI engineers and artificial intelligence advisors work together to train chatbots using vast amounts of medical data and conversational patterns. This collaboration allows chatbots to understand patient queries, answer basic health questions, and even schedule appointments. Meanwhile, natural language processing (NLP) enables an understanding of the nuances of human language, ensuring they interpret user questions and requests accurately. Machine learning, on the other hand, empowers them to learn and improve, constantly refining their responses and becoming more helpful with each interaction.

While healthcare chatbots may seem impersonal, they offer a far more personal way of interacting with healthcare services than browsing websites or communicating with outsourced call centres. Of course, building trust is crucial, especially in the healthcare industry, which has access to sensitive data. AI developers must ensure data privacy and security and address potential biases in AI algorithms to create reliable and helpful virtual health companions. 

The Benefits of Using Chatbots in Healthcare

There are numerous ways in which healthcare chatbots can help physicians, nurses, patients and their families. Patients can experience increased accessibility to information and support, with 24/7 availability eliminating wait times and missed connections. Chatbots provide instant access to basic health information, appointment scheduling, and medication reminders, empowering patients to take a more active role in managing their health. Additionally, chatbots can offer a safe space for anonymous consultations on sensitive topics, potentially leading to earlier intervention and improved health outcomes. For healthcare providers, chatbots can streamline administrative tasks like appointment scheduling and medication reminders, freeing up valuable staff time for more complex patient care needs. This potential reduction in administrative burden can contribute to cost savings within healthcare institutions. 

Ultimately, whether it’s medication management, emergency help, or solutions for simple medical issues, chatbots can ease the burden on medical professionals and increase the level of care that patients receive. 

Leading AI Chatbots Transforming Healthcare

AI chatbots empower patients with 24/7 access to information and support, improving accessibility and convenience. However, advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) empower them also to provide tailored recommendations and chronic disease management support. Beyond basic functionalities, leading AI chatbots in healthcare are harnessing advanced capabilities to deliver sophisticated services: 

  • Babylon Health – a pioneering chatbot offering AI-powered symptom assessment and virtual consultation. The ML model, trained on vast datasets of medical information and patient interactions, analyses user symptoms and medical history. NLP then allows the chatbot to understand natural language queries and translate them into medical concepts. This combined approach enables Babylon to assess symptoms, suggest potential causes, and guide users towards appropriate care options, even offering live video consultations with real doctors where necessary. 
  • Ada – AI-powered health companion offering personalised symptom analysis and health information, helping users understand their health concerns and navigate potential next steps. Ada is trained on a vast AI-based database of medical interactions, intelligently monitoring long-term health data to enable predictive and proactive care. Additionally, Ada has experimented with voice interface functionality, integrating with Amazon Alexa for hands-free symptom assessment and information access.
  • Florence – friendly virtual nurse chatbot specialising in medication reminders and adherence support, promoting consistent medication use and improved health outcomes. Users input their medications and schedule reminders while the ML model analyses their adherence patterns and identifies potential issues. Florence operates on popular platforms like Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Kik, making it readily accessible.
  • Woebot Health – AI-powered chatbot offering mental health support and techniques for coping with mental issues through conversation and techniques inspired by cognitive behavioural therapy. While still leveraging NLP, the core functionality relies on conversational AI to guide users through structured conversations. The chatbot integrates with Facebook Messenger to ask daily how users are feeling. While just a general mental health app at the time of writing, the company also has new condition-specific solutions in the pipeline. 
  • Infermedica – used during the coronavirus pandemic by over half a million patients, 300 organisations and two national governments, this chatbot leverages machine learning for symptom analysis and potential diagnosis suggestions, assisting users in understanding their health concerns. Infermedica goes beyond simply analysing symptoms; it employs a probabilistic model that factors the likelihood of various potential diagnoses based on user input. The chatbot runs conveniently online and as a mobile app, making symptom assessment and receiving actionable recommendations readily accessible.
  • OneRemission – a healthcare chatbot curated by experts to help empower cancer patients and survivors. It includes a comprehensive list of diets, exercises and practices. The ML model, trained on data specific to chronic disease management, personalises recommendations and educational content for each user. Additionally, rule-based systems ensure consistent and reliable guidance on topics like medication adherence, healthy lifestyle choices, and managing potential complications. In addition, users can consult with an online oncologist 24/7 if specialist help is required. 

These innovative healthcare chatbots are just a glimpse of what we will see in the future of healthcare. New applications are constantly emerging, showcasing the vast potential of chatbots to revolutionise patient care and empower healthcare professionals. 

Could You Leverage Artificial Intelligence Advisors to Build a Chatbot?

From symptom assessment and medication management to mental health support and chronic disease guidance, virtual assistants are transforming how we interact with the healthcare system. Their ability to bridge communication gaps and provide 24/7 support benefits both patients and physicians, paving the way for a more efficient and patient-centred healthcare experience.

While the potential of AI in healthcare is undeniable, building one requires specialised expertise. After all, the complexities of medical data, regulatory compliance, and user privacy demand a sophisticated approach. Partnering with a professional AI strategy & development services company in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne can turn your vision into reality. With technical know-how and healthcare industry experience on your side, you’ll be able to navigate the challenges and create a secure, reliable and impactful chatbot solution.