If there’s one big learning from the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s that people world over have become much more aware of health, wellness and self care.

Much of this can be attributed to the burgeoning of social media, and fueled by the availability of sophisticated devices such as smartphones and wearable technology, machine learning algorithms, affordable hardware, the rise of young tech entrepreneurs and their apps, wellness websites and sharing of information by experts across subjects and disciplines.

A major force that has emerged in the last few years is AI (artificial intelligence). It signaled the emergence of the next wave of transformational digital applications, and the self care industry has not lagged behind in leveraging its power.

AI and Healthcare

Studies in 2021 revealed that the AI-Healthcare market demand was valued at about USD $11 billion, and set to zoom up to ten times more by 2030. Healthcare processes focus first and foremost on early diagnosis, intervention and treatment. Interventions have to be deployed at exactly the right time to ensure the best outcomes. Another issue in the field of healthcare is greater patient awareness and access to information.

Patients are more savvy, highly demanding and have several payment options available to them. All this has resulted in humongous volumes of data which is still growing at an exponential rate.

This is where AI offers enormous benefits. Presently it is being used in a myriad ways, right from gathering patient data, asking diagnostic questions and sophisticated procedures such as neurosurgery, to research and development in the pharma industry.

Most professionals in the fields of medicine and healthcare have welcomed the advent of AI. Doctors opine that many patients have in the past suffered because of the lack of timely intervention. This could have also been due to gaps in professional knowledge which is something that AI and med-tech can certainly help to bridge.

Apps that are powered by AI offer real-time advice on care, taking medications on time, dosage, prescription refills, managing symptoms and more. Operationally, AI can make a huge difference to managing work-flow in hospitals, note-taking and maintenance of records, coding and billing, sharing information across departments.

Another area would be in taking up routine tasks that will free qualified humans to focus on more important work. A great example is virtual nursing assistants who can schedule appointments, forward questions to a panel of doctors or answer queries about medications.

Preventing medical scams and frauds, screening for unnecessary tests, billing separately for different steps in a procedure are all areas where AI benefits the healthcare industry.

AI In Self Care in 2024

When we talk about self care and wellness, a big chunk of it is in prevention, maintaining a healthy status quo and ensuring that any intervention that’s required is just a mouse-click away. Websites such as rest and digest provide some excellent self care ideas, in an easy-to-use format.

Wellness and self care are also about managing your own health, creating a personalized regimen and ensuring that you’re in charge in terms of awareness and seeking help. It ensures that you get exactly the kind of exercise, diet, stress-management, and physical and mental interventions that you need. This in turn has a transformational and beneficial effect on the healthcare system in general. Doctors are relieved of much of the pressure of providing information and they’re better equipped for ensuring more holistic outcomes in 2024.

Deep Learning Algorithms: These will enhance the accuracy in medical imaging and diagnostics, leading to a better interpretation of X-ray, scan, MRI. They offer better opportunities to personalize self care and discover a wider range of solutions to problems. Machine learning algorithms can collate data from a variety of sources and provide better clinical insights. There is much scope for predictive analysis in care through the use of algorithms.

Personalization: Self care automatically means a personalized approach, one that’s tailored to your own unique condition, with inputs from your personal wellness services providers. You can specify exactly what, when, how much you want, according to your preferences and budget setting. This is specially important if there are genetic or age factors or to be considered, where AI can help to map out suitable plans.

Mental Wellness: With social and emotional health taking top priority in people’s concerns for themselves and their loved ones, AI is the emerging tool and platform for support with these issues. Online therapy, face-to-face consultation, making appointments, identifying qualified people close to your location, flagging early warning signs of diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s are possible with AI apps.

Healthy Choices: AI will play a major role in offering the right kind of lifestyle, diet, leisure, fitness and nutrition choices. Wearable gadgets such as smart watches, bracelets or neck pieces help to monitor heart rate, exercise, sleep, activity and mood. With AI supported apps, you can select the kind of nutrition that syncs with your own specific health status and goals. There are apps to track your food and drink intake, offer suggestions and alternatives. If you travel frequently, AI can help you to find the healthy food and activity choices that you need.

Devices and Machines: In the decades ahead, AI will power existing medical devices and machines into the future. You can monitor your own parameters such as blood glucose or blood pressure ensuring that you receive timely help in the event of a crisis. It can also ensure that you take corrective action at the earliest to avoid deterioration or spread of diseases.

Training and Education: Virtual classes, webinars, remote meetings are extremely popular and with AI, you get the full benefit of feedback and motivation offered instantly, in real time. You can select the kind of education or training you want, and take the sessions in the comfort of your home at a time that’s most convenient to you.

Staying Connected: One of the best features of AI supported self care apps is that you can stay connected with like minded people on social media. This is a great way to share information, keep your motivation levels high and ensure that there’s accountability and a sense of being part of a larger group.

Consent and Privacy: Data analysis by AI is done with your consent and with commitment to your privacy and confidentiality. It helps you to practice optimum self-care with safety and confidence that your data remains private.

In the final analysis, AI will certainly play a pivotal role in self care and wellness regardless of age, health status, gender and geography. While we are still poised on the edge of the vast landscape that AI represents, one thing is certain – it’s an exciting time to be in!

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.