In this episode of Talking HealthTech, the conversation centred around the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, particularly in the area of clinical documentation and administration.
Kai Van Lieshout and Linus Talacko from Lyrebird and Danielle Bancroft from Best Practice joined Peter Birch from Talking HealthTech to discuss how AI can streamline healthcare operations, enhance patient care, and address the current challenges faced by healthcare professionals.
Transforming Healthcare through AI-based Documentation
AI technology promises to revolutionise the healthcare experience, not only for patients but significantly for healthcare providers. The co-founders of Lyrebird, a health tech firm offering AI-based solutions for clinical documentation, shared their mission to alleviate the administrative burden on clinicians. They believe in "building a tool around the clinician’s workflow, not conforming them to a tool," highlighting the importance of adapting technology to suit existing clinical practices.
The Reality of Clinical Administration
A substantial portion of a healthcare provider's time does not involve patient care but is rather consumed by the tedious task of clinical administration. This includes generating elaborate medical notes, patient letters, and handling other paperwork. Studies show that clinicians often spend additional hours outside of practice to complete these tasks – time that could otherwise be devoted to patient care or personal well-being.
Addressing this pain point, AI technology like that of Lyrebird has been shown to save "around 60 minutes on average per doctor per day," fundamentally changing the nature of clinical documentation by automating processes and improving efficiency.
The Patient-Centred Benefits of AI
The impact of technology in healthcare extends to patient outcomes. Efficient clinical administration not only frees up valuable time for clinicians but also translates into faster and more focused patient care. An AI tool that listens, interprets, and transcribes medical consultations in real time could drastically reduce waiting times for patients, leading to swifter diagnosis and treatment.
"Our goal is to have when you're in a consult with your practitioner, Lyrebird is sitting there and it can literally take care of all of that for you," Kai shared, illustrating the future potential of AI in enhancing patient care.
Integration and Partnerships in Healthcare Innovation
The integration of AI in healthcare systems requires efficient partnerships with other health tech entities and practitioners. Speaking from the perspective of a leading practice management software provider, Danielle Bancroft discussed the importance of collaboration for innovation. She shared that the practice management software industry "is so much more than just clinical notes," signalling the myriad of functionalities these systems provide, from billing to scheduling. The pursuit of innovation through partnerships aids in developing comprehensive solutions that address multiple facets of the healthcare operation.
The Forward Trajectory of Health Tech
Looking to the future, the panel highlighted the ongoing development of digital health tools that aim to tackle a wider range of administrative tasks beyond documentation. With advancements in technology, the scope of AI's application could see healthcare providers entirely relieved of non-care related duties.
This signifies a shift in resource allocation, with healthcare professionals focusing predominantly on the clinical aspects of their work while AI systems manage the ancillary operations.
Danielle Bancroft noted that "Technology should be a tool to alleviate burdens, not add to them," reinforcing the underlying goal of health tech innovations.
Fostering a Collaborative Future in Healthcare
The future of healthcare will see a synergy between clinical expertise and technological innovation. Through strategic partnerships and a clinician-centred approach to tech development, the healthcare system can achieve a more efficient, effective, and patient-focused service model.
Kai Van Lieshout reflects on the core purpose of their work, stating, "Our complete focus is to do anything a doctor would ever have to do that isn't actually delivering care." This sentiment captures the essence of health tech's trajectory - to empower healthcare providers to dedicate their expertise where it is most needed: in patient care.
In a landscape where technology and healthcare continue to meld, embracing the capabilities of AI while maintaining the integrity of the patient-clinician relationship is key. Through thoughtful and tailored integration, AI has the potential to enhance the standard of care delivered to patients worldwide. By focusing on innovation that is grounded in the real needs of clinicians and patients, we can create a healthier future for all.
