Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart failure are two of the most common and significant burdens on the healthcare system. In the United States alone, just under 60% of the adult population and 40% of the United Kingdom’s population could be victims of a chronic condition. This strain has been such a burden that the management costs of these chronic conditions are creating a huge dent in healthcare expenditures in multiple countries.

Before we get into how healthcare services are slowly being saved and supported by technological advancements, let’s have a mutual understanding of the basics.

What Are Chronic Conditions?

While the specific definition might vary depending on the chronic condition itself, overall, for the sake of this article, a chronic condition centres on the need for long-term, ongoing medical attention to avoid a significant deterioration in the patient’s quality of life.

As a result, many of these conditions tend to be incurable, and even with our advances in medicine, there are still things we haven’t cracked the code for. If untreated, patients can be left with negative physical and mental consequences for not only the patient but their carers and local healthcare providers.

Smart Technology and Its Impact on Chronic Conditions

Artificial Intelligence

When it comes to the practicality of artificial intelligence, while it might not be preferred in some professions, it seems very useful for the healthcare industry. In a matter of seconds, you could list every symptom of the patient and it could run through every possible diagnosis. Its AI-powered algorithms and machine-learning models are cutting the time in half and half again for health professionals. Although further analysis is always safe to do, the combined intelligence can make diagnosing patients with chronic conditions a quick process.

This is good news for both patients and doctors. For example, you might have better luck or take treatment if it’s caught as soon as possible, but things can be harder to make comfortable for you if it takes weeks or months to find the correct diagnosis. This can save healthcare professionals endless amounts of time and relieve some of the pressure that comes with giving the correct diagnosis.

Remote Patient Monitoring and Telehealth

After the pandemic, telehealth was utilised to its maximum, and through that, it has followed beyond the pandemic as a quicker way to get through appointments and combat the crisis of being overbooked and lacking slots.

Telehealth essentially allows patients to speak to their healthcare provider about what’s concerning them, as not all trips to the general practitioner need to be face-to-face. Therefore, it’s saving time on both ends—no more waiting rooms but also no longer having to wait 6 weeks to be told it’s a cold. This can make sure that people are being treated for chronic conditions quicker and filter through some concerns that don’t need face-to-face care.

Geometric Medicine

Advances in geometric medicine have brought medical professionals a step forward into a better understanding of the genetic factors that come with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes. With the decreasing cost of genome sequencing, it’s becoming more accessible for individuals suffering from these side effects to invest in personalised treatment plans that are based on their unique genetic makeup, contributing to a better quality of life.

Avisa Smart Hospitals

Smart hospitals represent the cutting-edge of healthcare innovation. These Avisa smart hospitals leverage state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and improve overall hospital efficiency. From advanced electronic health record systems to AI-driven patient care, smart hospitals are revolutionising the patient experience.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation and Surgery

AR and VR technologies are transforming surgical training, patient rehab, and pain management. Surgeons have utilised this technological advancement to visualise 3D models of the patient’s autonomy during surgery, making procedures more precise. For a patient suffering from a chronic condition or disease, these steps make all the difference if they are able to prepare for high-risk surgery with these tools that can lower the risk and ensure that they are giving the best effort trying to make their patient’s quality of life that much easier.

VR is currently being used for pain distraction therapy. They do say that when you fixate on the pain, it gets worse so essentially, it’s a placebo and a temporary fix, like medication. This is a helpful and healthier way to get the body to do some of the work and become less reliant on medication.

Predictive Analytics for Disease Outbreaks

Predictive analytics and machine learning models are helping healthcare organisations prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks more effectively. This is extremely helpful for those suffering from chronic conditions that are affected more severely by things like the common cold. Through this predictive analysis, you can understand the times of the year to be careful when in public spaces and so forth.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery is becoming more sought after and utilised in the healthcare sector. Robots can perform minimally invasive procedures with remarkable precision, resulting in shorter hospital stays, seamless recoveries and less pain trauma after the procedure itself. This not only gives doctors the time to put their efforts elsewhere but also makes these smaller surgeries covered to better standards.

A Real-Life Example of Smart Tech’s Application

The minitti-Smartho-D2 stethoscope has been created to achieve intelligent auxiliary diagnosis, remote monitoring and patient chronic condition tracking. It has been useful for diseases such as coronary heart disease, obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, vasculitis and much more.

Its innovative and dynamic health management system works hand-in-hand with AI assistance, expert port, and patient self-management. While this tool is used to work alongside medical care under the guidelines of healthcare professionals, its application has been able to reduce the need for frequent hospital visits and emergency room admissions, leading to a light load on the healthcare system and peace of mind for the patients, who know that if something does look out of the ordinary, they can visit in time.

Final Thoughts

While there are many technologies developed in the last couple of years, there are still things that chronic patients need to consider and contribute to take a further strain and work hand-in-hand with these remarkable tech advancements, like stopping smoking, drinking and other unhealthy habits that could tarnish the hard work these professionals put in and make your quality of life better. 

For the future of smart technology, there is still much more in development, from smartwatches to robotics. Hopefully, there will be newer and greater things that can make those suffering from chronic conditions that much easier. With the percentage on the rise, it’s more important than ever for people to do their part, from eating healthy right through to fitness.

To make things easier if you have just been diagnosed and need to stop your unhealthy habits, look for healthier alternatives such as non-alcoholic beverages, velo pouches or even an accountability coach to keep you in check during those stressful moments to avoid relapse.

The post Beyond Steps: Using Smart Technology to Monitor Chronic Conditions appeared first on Friends of Toms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has been rapidly evolving in recent years, and its impact on various industries has been significant. AI is a discipline of computer science concerned with the creation of intelligent machines capable of doing tasks that normally require human intellect, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. AI-powered tools are helping businesses automate many of their processes, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. In this article, we will explore how AI technology is helping different industries and what the future holds for this exciting field.

Benefits of AI Technology:

1. Improved Efficiency: AI-powered tools can automate many processes, reducing the need for human intervention and improving efficiency.
2. Better Decision-Making: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and insights that may be missed by human analysts, leading to better decision-making.
3. Cost Reduction: AI-powered tools can help businesses reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks and improving resource allocation.
4. Personalization: AI algorithms can analyze customer data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing businesses to offer personalized recommendations and support.
5. Improved Customer Experiences: AI-powered tools can provide customers with instant support and assistance, reducing the need for human customer service representatives and improving overall customer satisfaction.

Difference Between Before and After AI Launch:

1. Manual Processes VS. Automation: Before the launch of AI technology, many industries relied on manual processes and human intervention to perform tasks. With the launch of AI technology, businesses can automate many of their processes, reducing the need for human intervention and improving efficiency.
2. Limited Data Analysis VS. Big Data Analysis: Before the launch of AI technology, data analysis was limited to what humans could analyze. With the launch of AI technology, businesses can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and insights that may be missed by human analysts.
3. Higher Costs VS. Cost Reduction: Before the launch of AI technology, businesses often had to rely on human labor for many tasks, leading to higher costs. With the launch of AI technology, businesses can reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks and improving resource allocation.
4. One-size-fits-all VS. Personalization: Before the launch of AI technology, businesses often had to rely on one-size-fits-all approaches to customer service and marketing. With the launch of AI technology, businesses can analyze customer data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing for personalized recommendations and support.
5. Limited Customer Support VS. Improved Customer Experiences: Before the launch of AI technology, businesses often had limited customer support options, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. With the launch of AI technology, businesses can provide customers with instant support and assistance, improving overall customer experiences.

Industries That Benefit From AI Technology:

1. Healthcare: AI-powered tools are helping doctors and healthcare professionals diagnose and treat patients more accurately and efficiently. AI algorithms can analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, to detect abnormalities that may be missed by human eyes. This can lead to earlier detection of diseases and better patient outcomes. AI is also being utilized to create patient-specific treatment strategies. By analyzing a patient’s medical history, genetic data, and other factors, AI algorithms can recommend the most effective treatment options for each individual. This can result in improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare expenses.
2. Fintech: AI is transforming the finance industry. AI-powered tools are helping financial institutions automate many of their processes, such as fraud detection, risk assessment, and customer service. AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of financial data to detect fraudulent transactions and alert the appropriate authorities. AI is also being used to develop more accurate risk models. By analyzing historical data and market trends, AI algorithms can predict future market movements and identify potential risks. This can help financial institutions make more informed investment decisions and reduce their risk exposure.
3. Food: AI-powered tools are helping the food industry optimize its production processes, reduce waste, and improve product quality. AI algorithms can analyze production data to identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements. This can lead to reduced production costs and improved product quality.AI is also being utilized to create predictive maintenance models. AI systems can forecast when equipment will fail and offer repair before a breakdown happens by analyzing data from sensors and other sources. This can reduce downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness.
4. Real Estate: AI-powered tools are helping the real estate industry automate many of its processes, such as property valuation, marketing, and customer service. AI algorithms can analyze property data to identify trends and patterns, allowing real estate professionals to make more informed decisions. AI-powered chatbots can provide customers with instant support and assistance, reducing the need for human customer service representatives. 
5. Logistics and Transportation: AI-powered tools are helping the logistics and transportation industry optimize their supply chain, reduce costs, and improve delivery times. AI algorithms can analyze data from sensors and other sources to predict demand and recommend inventory levels. This can reduce inventory costs and improve product availability. AI is also being used to develop predictive maintenance models for transportation equipment. AI algorithms can forecast when equipment is likely to fail and prescribe repair before a breakdown happens by analyzing data from sensors and other sources. You can also take advantage delivery app builder to build an app for your logistics and transportation services. AI also helps you to manage your delivery app. This can reduce downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness.

Areas Where AI Can Be A Booster For Your Business:

1. AI in Marketing: AI-powered tools are helping marketers personalize their campaigns, optimize their targeting, and improve customer engagement. AI algorithms can analyze customer data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing marketers to offer personalized recommendations and promotions. AI is also being used to develop predictive models for customer behavior, allowing marketers to anticipate customer needs and preferences.
2. AI in Energy: AI-powered tools are helping the energy industry optimize its production processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. AI algorithms can analyze data from sensors and other sources to predict demand and recommend production levels. This can reduce energy costs and improve resource allocation. AI is also being used to develop predictive maintenance models for energy equipment, reducing downtime and improving overall equipment effectiveness.
3. AI in Agriculture: AI-powered tools are helping the agriculture industry optimize its production processes, reduce waste, and improve crop yields. AI algorithms can analyze data from sensors and other sources to predict weather patterns and recommend planting and harvesting schedules. This can improve crop yields and reduce waste. AI is also being used to develop predictive models for pest and disease outbreaks, allowing farmers to take preventative measures before an outbreak occurs.
4. AI in Education: AI-powered tools are helping educators personalize learning, improve student outcomes, and reduce administrative burdens. AI algorithms can analyze student data to identify areas where students may be struggling and recommend personalized learning plans. AI is also being used to develop intelligent tutoring systems, providing students with personalized feedback and guidance.
5. AI in Entertainment: AI-powered tools are helping the entertainment industry personalize content, optimize distribution, and improve customer engagement. AI algorithms can analyze customer data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing entertainment companies to offer personalized recommendations and promotions. AI is also being used to develop predictive models for content popularity, allowing entertainment companies to anticipate customer preferences and optimize content distribution.
6. AI in Customer Service: AI-powered tools are helping businesses improve customer service by providing instant support and assistance. AI-powered chatbots can answer customer inquiries and resolve issues, reducing the need for human customer service representatives. AI algorithms can also analyze customer data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing businesses to offer personalized support and recommendations.
7. AI in Human Resources: AI-powered tools are helping businesses automate many of their human resources processes, such as recruitment, onboarding, and performance management. AI algorithms can analyze candidate data to identify the best candidates for a job, reducing the time and cost of recruitment. AI is also being used to develop predictive models for employee performance, allowing businesses to identify areas where employees may need additional training or support.
8. AI in Construction: AI-powered tools are helping the construction industry optimize its processes, reduce waste, and improve safety. AI algorithms can analyze construction data to identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements. AI is also being used to develop predictive models for equipment maintenance, reducing downtime and improving overall equipment effectiveness. Additionally, AI-powered tools can help improve safety on construction sites by identifying potential hazards and recommending preventative measures.
9. AI in Gaming: AI-powered tools are helping the gaming industry personalize content, optimize gameplay, and improve customer engagement. AI algorithms can analyze player data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing gaming companies to offer personalized recommendations and promotions. AI is also being used to develop intelligent game design, providing players with personalized challenges and experiences.
10. AI in Government: AI-powered tools are helping governments improve public services, optimize resource allocation, and enhance public safety. AI algorithms can analyze data from various sources to identify patterns and insights, allowing governments to make more informed decisions. AI is also being used to develop predictive models for public safety, allowing governments to anticipate and prevent potential threats.

Question and Answer:

Q: What are some of the challenges of implementing AI technology in different industries?

A: One of the main challenges of implementing AI technology in different industries is the need for specialized skills and expertise. AI algorithms require extensive training and testing to ensure accuracy and reliability. Additionally, businesses may need to invest in new hardware and software infrastructure to support AI-powered tools.

Q: What are some of the ethical considerations for using AI technology in different industries?

A: One of the main ethical considerations of using AI technology in different industries is the potential for bias and discrimination. AI algorithms are only as impartial as the data they are trained on, and if the data is biased, so will the algorithm. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of AI on employment, as AI-powered tools may replace human workers in some industries. 

Q: How can businesses ensure that AI technology is used responsibly and ethically?

A: Businesses can ensure that AI technology is used responsibly and ethically by implementing ethical guidelines and standards for AI development and use. This includes ensuring that AI algorithms are transparent and explainable so that users can understand how decisions are being made. Additionally, businesses should ensure that AI algorithms are trained on unbiased data and that they do not perpetuate discrimination or bias. 

Q: What are some potential future developments in AI technology?

A: Some potential future developments in AI technology include the development of more advanced natural language processing capabilities, the integration of AI with other emerging technologies such as blockchain and the Internet of Things, and the development of more advanced machine learning algorithms that can learn from smaller amounts of data. 

Conclusion:

AI technology is transforming various industries, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and innovative. From healthcare to fintech, food to real estate, and logistics to transportation, AI is making a difference in many areas. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more significant changes in the way businesses operate. However, there are also challenges and ethical considerations that need to be addressed to ensure that AI technology is used responsibly and ethically. The future of artificial intelligence is intriguing, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

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