From Dr. Google to AI

Is healthcare and life sciences experiencing a watershed moment?​

What's often the first thing many people do when they are experiencing or investigating an unusual health symptom? Chances are, they're turning to the Web for answers.

That's because "Doctor Google" is pretty popular for those seeking health advice. In fact, 26.2% of Americans rely on Google's top results for healthcare and life sciences-related queries.

Sure, this might be more convenient than scheduling a costly, unnecessary or time-consuming appointment for a minor concern. But we all know that's not how difficult or complex health-related questions can be addressed. Even high-end, tech-enabled online symptom checkers are not always accurate with triage advice.

Alarmingly, two in five people end up diagnosing themselves with a serious disease after Googling their symptoms, which is wrong 60% of the time! A survey of 2,000 Americans even found that misdiagnosis of ailments made them more worried than they should have been.

It takes something more substantial and tangible when looking for the right contextual answer… and that may just be found with applied AI. With applied AI, end-users and care receivers can engage in dynamic conversations directly with care providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and MedTech companies. AI conversations can adequately respond or deliver critical medical insights well beyond a simple “Google it."

Welcome to the new generative AI present and future, where emerging tech transforms healthcare and life sciences for every single consumer and healthcare stakeholder alike.​

​Technological disruptions are changing the face of the healthcare and life sciences (HLS) industry as we know it.

The need for change is driving innovation in healthcare, with AI and generative AI (GenAI) emerging as the top contenders. And as the industry adapts, organizations that embrace these changes will lead the way into a future of resilience – they can help unlock a piece of the unrealized USD one trillion of improvement potential that the industry presents.

But how does it work you ask?

​A medical facility’s AI platform streamlines patient information by instantly adding real-time patient data and converting dictations into structured notes. Clinicians review and edit these AI-generated notes before submitting them to the patient's electronic health records (EHR), eliminating manual and time-consuming administrative tasks. Then, GenAI-powered tools utilize deep-learning algorithms to analyze unstructured healthcare data, including diagnostic images. This helps in processing vast amounts of unstructured data, enhancing analysis and decision-making processes.​​

AI and its world of healthcare opportunities

AI, with its advanced capabilities, is poised to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare, driving transformative changes for MedTech, Pharma, CROs, Healthcare providers and Health ISVs. Here’s how:​

It's more than mere numbers; it's a clarion call for adaptation

​From precision diagnostics to streamlined administrative processes, AI offers potential for improving patient outcomes and slashing costs significantly across the entire spectrum of HLS stakeholders including CROs, Pharms, Health ISVs, MedTech companies and Healthcare providers.
Great, you're thinking, but how does it benefit my bottom line?
We have the answer to that, too
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Stay tuned for the next article in this three-part series on AI and healthcare, where we'll cover AI's impact on your business ROI as well as a future roadmap for adoption and success.​​

Sourabh Chongdar

Global Practice Leader – Healthcare and Life Sciences
mail sourabh.chongdar@harman.com
LinkedIn Sourabh Chongdar