A recent study has found AI chatbots have been rated as more empathetic to patients’ issues than doctors. In this cross-sectional study, where 195 randomly drawn patient questions were pulled from public social media, chatbot responses were strongly favoured over physicians.

Technology never tires out, so it makes sense chatbots can simulate empathy when taught to. But they cannot truly understand the emotions or nuances of patient response, meaning they can’t be the only solution we have for treating patients.

So how do we save healthcare workers for what only people can do? Here are three ways all health systems need to consider:

1. Bringing data together

Data is vital for patient treatment. Unifying data saves time and improves accessibility for healthcare professionals.

Unifying data all in one place increases accessibility and ensures cleaner handling of patient information, whether it passes through fewer hands or means that every clinician who interacts with a patient is looking at the exact same, up-to-date information.

A data lake is specifically designed to process, store and manage large sums of data – whether it be structured, semi-structured or unstructured. It ensures information is unified and can be used to its full advantage.

There is a huge amount of data not being utilised to its full potential across health systems, adding to the admin burden of frontline healthcare workers.

When we designed Orchestral, our Health Intelligence Platform, we were cognisant of this. We built in machine learning and Natural Language Processing to unify data and provide clinicians with tools to access unified patient information. The platform provides clinicians with decision support by providing actionable insights from data, acting as an assistant for clinicians.

2. Making it all connect

Interoperability is when different systems, devices, applications, or products work together in a coordinated way without end-user input. Interoperability is a vital component in maximizing productivity in healthcare.

When acquiring new technology, healthcare decision-makers need to ensure it’s capable of fitting easily into the environment it will be used in. Not doing this runs the risk of developing systems that hinder frontline clinicians rather than helping them.

Scalability is key to ensuring technology fits seamlessly in its environment. A purpose-built scalable interoperability platform like Orion Health’s Unified Healthcare Platform, which encompasses Orchestral, the Amadeus Digital Care Record and Virtuoso Digital Front Door, has the unique advantage of being specifically made for healthcare.

Unlike many other players in the health data space, Orion Health has 30 years of clinical experience to draw from. This means we understand how to connect disparate healthcare systems to save clinicians’ time.

3. Empowering people to take control of their own healthcare journey

To free up healthcare workers, we need to empower patients to take control of their own healthcare.
Empowering people to access and engage with their own healthcare when and where they want improves the healthcare experience for both clinicians and patients. But to do this, healthcare systems need the right tools.

These tools have inclusivity and equity as the focal point of their design.

By leveraging and integrating new and existing technologies through our Digital Front Door, organisations are better equipped to manage demand, and patients have the tools to understand their own health. This, in turn, reduces the demand for healthcare services, streamlines admission processes and redefines people’s healthcare experiences.

When we harness the best in technology, we create outcomes that better us all. With the right tools in place built by people who understand health, frontline health workers can do the jobs only people can do.

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