What’s Next For AI In Healthcare In 2023

We write tons of detailed articles about niche topics, for our seasoned audience. However, every now and then it is important to zoom out and just look at the big picture as well. Here we decided to provide a high-level outlook of what’s coming next for AI in healthcare, and hope it will be useful.

So let’s take a birds-eye view of what we can expect from AI in healthcare in the coming period. In this post, we will not discuss abstract principles but will instead focus on providing specific examples. By examining recent advancements and exploring potential future developments, we aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the role AI may play in transforming healthcare.

Regulation for adaptive algorithms will arrive

Adaptive algorithms are notoriously tricky to regulate due to their constantly changing nature.

So far, only locked algorithms have been approved. Regulating adaptive algorithms presents a significant challenge, as they may change from day to day, becoming different from when they were initially approved. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has promised to start addressing this issue this year and is expected to release at least some regulatory descriptions or recommendations providing guidance in this field.

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We will also be launching a database where users can search for AI healthcare patents. This resource will enable the identification of trends and predictions about which areas or specialties are likely to stand out in AI developments, potentially providing valuable insights into the future landscape of healthcare.

2. Specialty-based AI recommendations and guidelines will come

In the American College of Radiology, an important development has been the introduction of instructions on how to submit studies, papers, or scientific publications related to AI technology. Guidance is also provided on how radiologists should approach reading a study about AI. It would be beneficial to see such recommendations and guidelines implemented across all medical specialties, helping professionals better understand and utilise AI technologies in their respective fields.

3. Large Language Models (like ChatGPT and MedPaLM) will receive some form of regulation

Large Language Models (like ChatGPT and Google’s MedPaLM) will likely receive some form of regulation this year, as it is impossible that millions of people, including doctors and patients use them daily without any regulatory guidance.

LLM regulation will probably be an entirely new category, distinct from the way other AI-based medical technologies have been regulated so far.

Regulators need to develop oversight mechanisms that consider the unique challenges posed by LLMs, such as interpretability, fairness, and unintended consequences. Tokenization, a crucial aspect of LLMs in natural language processing, is currently not regulated in healthcare and requires attention. On top of that, given LLMs’ broad applicability across various domains, a one-size-fits-all regulatory framework is not suitable. Regulators must address diverse industry-specific concerns, and healthcare – a matter of life and death – will be the most complicated of all.

4. Doomsday Knights will ban large language models

It is very likely that some countries or regions will decide to address potential issues by banning the use of large language models. However, this may not be an effective solution for several reasons. First, even moderately motivated users can easily find ways to circumvent such regulations. Moreover, a better long-term approach would involve the smart utilization of LLMs, the development of appropriate regulations, and education for users on how to work with AI.

Nevertheless, there surely will be individuals who prefer a more extreme approach, akin to “salting the earth” to prevent the impending doom.

5. We will see yet undiscovered medical areas for AI solutions

While the number of applied AI solutions will increase in established areas (e.g., radiology, oncology) we will finally see new ones (e.g., mental health) as well.

This is exciting because even in fields rich in interactions and creative tasks that are less prone to automation, AI usage will begin to emerge. New, innovative models – like paid subscribers can access an AI chatbot but are also routed to a human therapist if their queries escalate – will be developed for these purposes.

6. AI will arrive in the everyday professional lives of healthcare workers

Millions of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers will experiment with various AI-based tools, such as voice-to-text applications, where they only need to review the output. This will lead to increased efficiency and adoption of AI in healthcare.

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There is a wide selection of AI-driven tools, many of them not strictly related to medicine or healthcare, that can help anyone in a wide range of tasks, from building a website to creating videos, from designing presentations to generating FAQ texts or emails.

7. Drug discovery is the Trojan Horse for AI in pharma

AI may break into the pharmaceutical industry through drug discovery. This area has significant potential for cost savings and profit generation for pharmaceutical companies, making it an attractive target for AI applications.

Easy to see why: while traditional drug discovery takes about $1 billion and 10 years to bring a new drug to market, AI can accelerate this process significantly in many ways: creating new molecules virtually (in silico), and this progress is mind-blowing, some algorithms find potential target molecules 1,200 times (!) faster than the previous supercomputer model.

Thus the pipeline of AI-first drug candidates is growing, with 18 drug candidates in clinical trials in 2022, compared to zero in 2020. AI is reportedly taking months, if not years, off of early drug discovery.

8. ChatGPT integration in core healthcare business

This year, dozens or even hundreds of companies will incorporate ChatGPT into their core business. Currently, the most typical use cases are health management and coaching, but other applications are emerging, such as using LLMs as medical scribes.

These tools use large language models to transcribe and summarize in-person and remote medical encounters, including patient-doctor interactions, diagnoses, and treatment plans.

The benefits of implementing LLMs in medical scribe applications are easy to grasp: they can save tons of time, and address a major cause of physician burnout: excessive amounts of administration.

Welcome to the world of The Jetsons!

While we’ve touched upon the incredible potential of AI in healthcare, it’s crucial to realize that these applications are still only a small part of the much broader impact AI can have on our lives. As AI technology continues to grow and seep into various sectors, we might find ourselves living in a world that feels like a page out of the classic cartoon “The Jetsons.”

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Wouldn’t it be amazing to live in a Jetsons-esque future, where flying cars solve our traffic woes, robot assistants tend to our needs, and smart home systems manage our households effortlessly? In this high-tech world, AI has the power to revolutionize not just healthcare, but also transportation, education, entertainment, and countless other aspects of daily life. The possibilities seem endless, bounded only by our imagination and commitment to responsible innovation.

The post What’s Next For AI In Healthcare In 2023 appeared first on The Medical Futurist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you find more information on holistic medicine and other holistic therapies?

Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person instead of just one aspect of health care. It considers all aspects of a patient’s life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not individual symptoms. The focus of holistic medicine is not on curing the disease but on promoting healing.

Holistic medicine includes preventive measures such as exercise and nutrition and treatments for chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes.

There are many types of holistic medicine.

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Chiropractic medicine
Homeopathy
Herbalism
Naturopathy
Nutrition
Osteopathic medicine
Vedic medicine
Yoga

What is the difference in alternative medicine and complementary medicine?

Alternative medicine refers specifically to any treatments that aren’t recommended by mainstream medical professionals but have proven to be effective for certain conditions. These include homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy and reflexology as well as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda and naturopathy. Complementary medicines are therapies that can be used alongside traditional medicine. These include vitamins, minerals and herbs, as well as amino acids, enzymes and probiotics.

Both forms of medicine may be used. However, most conventional doctors will not recommend them due either to insufficient evidence nor safety concerns.

The best way to integrate CAM into patient care is not a consensus among health care professionals.

Many CAM practices are based on theories developed over thousands of years. Clinical trials conducted over the past two decades have shown that some of these treatments might be effective.

Many studies show that acupuncture may help relieve pain. Similarly, preliminary data show that it may reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Other studies suggest that acupuncture may improve symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, migraines, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Other CAM methods may have therapeutic effects on conditions like HIV/AIDS and diabetes, heart disease or hypertension, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and rheumatoidarthritis.

Experts agree that CAM can help with many ailments, even though we still have a lot to learn about its effectiveness.

People are increasingly turning to CAM practitioners to find relief from common ailments.

Despite growing popularity, many remain confused about the definition of “alternative” or complementary medicine.

Why do people with advanced cancers use alternative methods of treatment?

Cancer patients often face many challenges as they attempt to overcome their illness. Some patients may believe they are doomed to failure or that there is no way out. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.

A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Cancer patients often seek alternative therapies such as complementary medicine. A majority of cancer patients will use alternative medications at least once during treatment according to research.

Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. They might also prefer it for its lower cost.

These are just a few of the reasons why you might want to consider them:

Some patients believe natural remedies can prevent a recurrence.

Many people believe that natural remedies can improve the quality of life.

Others believe that natural remedies can reduce the risk of getting cancer again.

People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.

Is it possible for a holistic doctor to prescribe prescriptions?

Holistic medicine is based on the premise that all diseases are caused by a combination of factors, including diet, lifestyle, environment, stress, emotional state, genetics, and other health-related problems.

These factors are important to consider when prescribing medications. This is part of a balanced approach to treating patients.

Understanding how each factor affects patients is essential for a physician to be able understand modern science as well as traditional methods such homeopathy and herbs.

Many doctors have been certified in complementary or alternative medicine (C&A). This allows them to offer a complete range of services for their patients.

What are the advantages of holistic medicine over traditional medicine?

Holistic medicine has been used by many religions and cultures for thousands years. They were based upon ancient knowledge and experienced.

These medicines are safe, effective, natural, and affordable. These side effects are far less severe than those from pharmaceutical drugs.

They will also assist you in achieving better health and well-being.

They can help prevent illness and improve your overall health.

They can even treat diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, arthritis, asthma or depression, as well as high blood pressure.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of traditional medicines around the world, each offering unique benefits.

The World Health Organization has estimated that around 80% rely on traditional methods of treating illness and injury.

A reported half-billion people use traditional herbal remedies to get primary healthcare.

The global market in complementary therapies is expected to reach $22.2 Billion by 2020.

People are increasingly turning towards alternative medical methods to avoid adverse side effects.

People often turn to complementary therapies for treatment when they are not able to respond to conventional treatments. These therapies may be tried before they resort to medication or surgery.

There are many reasons why people choose to use complementary therapies.

To improve quality of life
To reduce stress levels
Relaxation
To relieve pain
To enhance immunity
Support for those with serious illnesses
To boost energy
To control weight
To maintain good nutrition
To improve sleep patterns
To deal with chronic conditions

Statistics

The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)

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What is it that holistic doctors do that traditional doctors don’t?

A holistic doctor is able to provide more services than traditional doctors, such as nutritionists, massage therapists and naturopaths.

A holistic doctor works with patients holistically – they look at the whole person, their lifestyle, and environment and address the root cause of any health issues rather than just treating symptoms. This approach helps them identify underlying causes and work towards long-term wellness and preventative measures. Holistic doctors employ natural remedies, such as essential oils and herbs, to treat illness. They also provide nutritional supplements and advice for healthy living.

Holistic doctors also offer therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology, reiki or shiatsu, yoga, meditation or craniosacral treatment, as well as hypnotherapy and hypnotherapy.

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