The author suggests viable digital health alternatives such as telemedicine and care support digital solutions like Livongo or Biogen’s Aby/Cleo. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of human expertise and compassion in healthcare, despite the rapid advancement of technology. It suggests that while digital care support platforms are growing in popularity, they cannot replace the role of medical professionals.
Key takeaways:
- People are increasingly relying on technology for medical advice due to social isolation, advances in AI, the ubiquity of smart devices, and other factors. However, this trend comes with risks, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and heightened anxiety.
- Conversational AI and medical chatbots are gaining popularity in the healthcare sector, but their effectiveness and accuracy are still mixed. They also raise questions about the role of human doctors and the quality of care.
- Despite the rise of digital health tools, virtual-first healthcare is not yet a sustainable model, as evidenced by the bankruptcy of pioneering chatbot Babylon Health. The availability of such solutions is also a concern, particularly in emerging countries.
- Viable digital health alternatives include telemedicine and care support digital solutions like Livongo or Biogen’s Aby/Cleo. These platforms can provide health education, strategies for self-management of symptoms, and patient monitoring and analytics.