Article

How AI is revolutionizing the patient experience

Insights by Sanjeet Jha, Senior Advisor, Healthcare Consulting – MENA at JLL

September 03, 2024

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept. It is revolutionizing healthcare by placing patients at the forefront of care delivery. Through advanced algorithms and data analysis, AI is transforming disease diagnosis, patient interactions, and overall well-being management. Moreover, by automating routine tasks, AI frees clinicians and administrators to focus on patient care and human-centric aspects of their roles.

JLL is exploring the potential of AI. Our tools, like Hank, enable real-time adjustments to HVAC units, optimizing patient comfort and energy efficiency. Infogrid utilizes sensors to monitor building performance, enhance cleanliness and maintenance, and track energy consumption and emissions. By combining our AI expertise with our end-to-end service, we provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to healthcare consulting.

In this article, we will explore five ways in which AI in healthcare is transforming patient care across various aspects of healthcare delivery, from diagnosis and treatment to patient engagement and health management:

1. Personalizing patient care

One of AI’s most impactful applications is the ability to tailor healthcare to individual needs. AI algorithms can identify patterns and predict health risks by analyzing vast patient data, including medical history, genetics, and lifestyle factors. This data-driven approach, often termed precision medicine, enables highly personalized treatment plans, maximizing efficacy while minimizing adverse side effects.

Platforms like Watson Health exemplify this trend, developing AI to analyze patient data, diagnose conditions, and recommend tailored treatment options.

Another example is Johns Hopkins Hospital and Microsoft Azure AI which have partnered to create AI models that analyze patient data to forecast disease progression, readmission risks, and treatment efficacy. These insights empower healthcare providers to make informed decisions and optimize care delivery.

2. Enhancing patient access and engagement

AI is being explored to make healthcare more accessible and convenient. Generative AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can transform patient engagement by providing round-the-clock support. These AI tools can address patient inquiries, schedule appointments, and even provide basic medical advice, significantly reducing wait times and boosting patient satisfaction. Additionally, AI facilitates remote consultations, bridging the healthcare gap for individuals in rural or underserved areas.

JLL GPT^TM, our large language model (LLM) purpose-built for the commercial real estate industry, has potential use in healthcare applications. We are also exploring strategic partnerships to enhance our AI capabilities. For example, JLL Spark has invested in EliseAI, an AI startup focused on healthcare and housing. It can handle 95% of patient inquiries with zero wait time, eliminating hold times, voicemails and IVRs. These AI assessments help contribute to patient care programs while our experts also consider the traditional context of healthcare operations.

4. Improving diagnosis and treatment

AI algorithms are being developed to analyze medical images with unparalleled speed and accuracy, detecting abnormalities the human eye might miss. Early and precise diagnosis is paramount for effective treatment, and AI plays a pivotal role in accelerating this process.

For instance, a recent study by the UK’s Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research revealed AI to be nearly twice as effective as biopsies in determining cancer aggressiveness.

While AI offers innovative advancements, it's essential to remember the value of traditional healthcare services. At JLL, we believe in a balanced approach that combines AI-driven innovations with our proven expertise in real estate consulting. For example, while AI can aid in medical diagnosis, our strategic advice on healthcare operations/facilities provides a broader perspective on optimizing care delivery.

5. Empowering proactive health management

The integration of AI with wearable technology is enabling proactive health management. Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers can collect valuable data on vital signs, physical activity, and sleep patterns. AI algorithms can then analyze this data to identify potential health risks and recommend preventive measures, such as early detection of chronic diseases or personalized exercise plans.

One example is PeraHealth, a US-based company, which developed the Rothman Index, a scoring system that uses EHR, vital, and lab data to assess patient health. This real-time monitoring tool, powered by machine learning, helps clinicians identify at-risk patients early, enabling timely interventions. Consequently, hospitals like Yale-New Haven Health have achieved a 29% reduction in sepsis mortality rates, while Shannon Skilled Nursing Facility has lowered hospital readmission rates by 14%.

6. Engaging and educating patients

AI tools have the capability to empower individuals through interactive educational tools. By transforming complex medical information into engaging formats like interactive multimedia or conversational narratives, AI can significantly enhance health literacy. This enables patients to better understand their conditions, treatment options and make informed healthcare decisions.

Challenges and opportunities

The adoption of AI in healthcare will likely be cautious due to safety and regulatory concerns. Protecting patient privacy through data security measures and ensuring fairness and equity in AI algorithms to avoid discrimination against specific patient populations is crucial. The WHO's report outlines essential considerations for AI’s ethical and responsible use in healthcare. It emphasizes the importance of human dignity, rights, values, equity, fairness, inclusivity, and accountability. In line with this, JLL recently helped a startup in the US protect patient data through AI.

The future of AI in healthcare is incredibly promising, with advancements in natural language processing and machine learning expected to lead to even more sophisticated AI applications. Some anticipated breakthroughs include personalized medicine, drug development, and disease prevention. With AI technology, healthcare organizations can enhance patient experiences, improve outcomes, and gain a competitive edge.

Ready to take the next step?

At JLL, we specialize in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world healthcare challenges. We combine our real estate expertise with deep-seated experience in the healthcare industry to help our clients enhance patient experiences, improve efficiency and drive innovation. Let's work together to unlock the full potential of your healthcare facility.

To learn more and take the next step, visit jll.com/healthcare.