For keeping an eye on the health of the patients, doctors to use apps and AI
Posted on: 18/Sep/2019 10:01:42 AM
Who would have thought that one day doctors would use apps and artificial intelligence or AI to monitor the health of the patients?
The information is Apollo Hospitals had launched its health programme named ‘Prohealth’ on Tuesday, 17th September 2019. It is said that this programme would offer annual tests and monitor health to stop or reverse complications of non-communicable diseases for Rs15000 for a time of 3 years.
According to Mr Pratap Reddy, chairman of Apollo Hospitals, for 3 years the tests would be done based on AI-powered health risk assessment, consultation from doctors and a physician assistant. He revealed that the database for risk assessment was developed from 20 million health check-ups done at Apollo Hospitals. Information is a mobile app and AI would help doctors and health councillors not only to keep track of the health of the patients but also encourage the patients to stay healthy.
It was later mentioned by Dr Udhaya Balasubramanian, group director of preventive health, Apollo Hospitals that patients who get enrolled for the programme would be asked some questions about their health and family history and it would be fed into the system. In the next step, the machine would be able to suggest the required number of tests for risk assessment and it would be validated by a doctor. He then hinted about the benefit of the programme and said certain visits and follow-ups could be done free of cost under the programme.
To keep track of the physical activity and heart rate, patients would be given devices. Dr Udhaya Balasubramanian explained how it was not possible for the doctors to follow up on the patients who come for annual check-ups.
Point to be taken into account is people with issues like cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and obesity etc would be moved to a specialized programme. By means of calls, emails and text messages, the personalized health assistant would encourage clients to lose weights, exercise, follow a diet or quit smoking. According to Upasana Kamineni Kondela, vice chairman, Apollo Hospitals, it is clear that this programme would be unique.
