AI Enhancing Patient Portal Accessibility for Users?
In the realm of healthcare, a significant shift is underway as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being harnessed to streamline the interaction between payers and providers, and most crucially, patients.
Currently, a substantial amount of time and resources are spent by both parties in searching for information scattered across various platforms, a process that incurs costs. However, this scenario is set to change with the advent of AI.
Some forward-thinking companies are developing AI scribes that capture conversations between patients and specialists, equipped with data engines capable of accurately transcribing complex medical jargon for the medical record. What's more, these tools are now being repurposed to aid patients.
Healthcare executives are enthusiastic about the potential of AI to democratize healthcare, empowering consumers to take control of their care journey. AI-generated instructions for patients could guide them through the delivery of care, while AI-generated summaries in patient portals can translate medical jargon, making it more accessible.
Physicians are also eager to embrace AI tools that can alleviate the burden on their staff and doctors. Tasks like scheduling and prescription refills can be handled by these intelligent systems, freeing up time for more critical tasks.
Health systems and hospitals are actively working to improve their patient portals to increase engagement, care management, and the quality of care. With AI, patient portals are becoming more interactive, allowing patients to initiate a query and continue with subsequent questions.
Oracle Health is at the forefront of this revolution, unveiling AI tools for patient portals to improve healthcare management. Their new Semantic Database and Knowledge Graph are designed to help patients understand their medical records by translating jargon. These tools aim to improve the digital front door of health systems, making them more efficient and user-friendly.
EHR providers like Epic and Oracle Health are providing tools for health systems to enhance their patient portals. AI can respond to queries about medication, detail co-pay and coverage responsibilities, schedule appointments, provide directions, arrange transportation, and offer tips on nutrition.
Optum CEO Patrick Conway envisions reducing friction by having AI agents handle calls to the health plan, providing real-time benefits reviews and other information. Randy Thompson, MD, Chief Health Analytics Officer at Billings Clinic, believes AI is providing his health system with an opportunity to reimagine how patients access care through the portal, making it more interactive.
The goal is not just to help patients understand their doctors and nurses, but also to equip them with the support they need to better prepare for upcoming visits, including helping them ask the right questions of their care team.
As 90% of U.S. health systems have patient portals, the challenge lies in increasing patient engagement. With the integration of AI, it's hoped that more patients will embrace these portals, leading to improved healthcare management and outcomes.
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