The Role of AI in Powering up Patient Advocacy

AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Patient Advocacy might not seem like a natural fit upon first reaction, but I’m here to share how AI can result in better patient outcomes, by powering up patient advocacy. 

Although AI may not ever be able to emulate the empathy a provider can show, it can level up their systems and processes to improve communication, increase efficiency, and aggregate information. Here’s just a few ways this can happen: 

AI can streamline administrative processes that often cause delays in care. 

Two examples of this are auto-generating referral letters to speed up care plans, and  summarizing medical history for providers ahead of patient appointments, to ensure full context is understood for conversations. For patients, the sense of urgency is often higher than systems allow for, and AI can make a real impact here.

AI can aggregate patient preferences and needs.

If AI can trawl a patient’s notes and summarize their needs and preferences, it can create plans for individual and evolving needs. Providers can incorporate these into conversations and care journeys. It can be difficult for a provider to quickly get a comprehensive picture of each patient’s changing needs ahead of conversations, so this would really aid their ability to show up with empathy and consideration. 

AI can summarize doctor’s notes and translate into layman’s terms.

Scientific language can often be a barrier to a patient fully understanding their condition, their results, their care plan, and their options. AI can be leveraged to translate the conversations into understandable terms, equipping patients with the essential knowledge they need to better advocate for themselves. 

Furthermore, AI is also becoming more efficient at translating conversations into other languages. Patients conversing in their native language is a critical step to improving how they understand and engage with their care.

In summary, pairing AI with empathetic patient advocacy can not only ensure individual health journeys become more efficient, but it gives patients and providers a deeper understanding of each other. This understanding gives both sides the ability to advocate better for the patient and find the best collaborative path forward.

Takeaways: 

1. For providers: AI can improve the efficiency of their processes, reduce their administrative burdens, and increase understanding of patient needs – all improving patient care.
   
2. For patients: AI can reduce communication and language barriers, increasing their understanding of their conditions and options. This is essential in helping patients advocate for themselves more effectively.