remember my busy mornings as a doctor—seeing 30 patients, each with their own health problems. Some had fevers, coughs, and sneezes, while others needed advice about diabetes or recovering after surgery. I felt like an acrobat juggling too many balls, rarely having enough time for detailed explanations. Sometimes, my patients returned to the clinic due to complications that could have been avoided with more time for proper education. But nowadays, with the merging of medical technology, AI, and a growing focus on self-care, the prospect of elevating patient wellbeing is more attainable than ever.
At the core of this transformation is the interdependence of wellbeing and self-care. Beyond theory, actively managing one's health leads to better outcomes. Engaging in self-care—through exercise, diet, stress management, and treatment adherence—not only improves health but also lightens the burden on healthcare systems. This symbiotic relationship underscores self-care's pivotal role in shaping health outcomes. Ultimately, prioritizing self-care empowers individuals to enhance their wellbeing while positively impacting the broader healthcare landscape.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a game-changer for bringing together self-care and improving wellbeing by changing how patients get information and look after their health. Health apps that use AI give real-time advice on managing symptoms, taking medications correctly, and making personalized lifestyle changes. This new ability empowers people to keep a close eye on their health, spot potential issues early, and take action to prevent them—all without leaving their homes. AI's ability to provide information in an easy-to-understand format helps people comprehend their conditions and treatment plans better.
Self-care is about preventing problems, and AI can help a lot with that. AI can use predictive analytics to identify people at risk and help them before chronic conditions develop. By looking at people’s data and behaviors, AI can suggest exercise routines, changes in diet, and ways to manage stress that are tailored to everyone. This approach not only takes some of the load off healthcare facilities but also improves people's quality of life. It encourages a culture where people take an active role in their health and wellbeing.
A worldwide effort under the umbrella of the "United for Self-Care Coalition" started in 2022, bringing together different groups like academia, NGOs, private sector, and health experts. They all agree that self-care is essential in healthcare planning. This global movement wants self-care to be a part of every health strategy, supported by a resolution from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Indeed, the WHO acknowledges the importance of self-care, yet its full value is often fragmented across policies, lacking systematic and comprehensive integration across all areas. The United for Self-Care Coalition is working towards the systematic incorporation of self-care into policies across the healthcare spectrum, simultaneously covering more than 190 countries.
As efforts move forward, it's important to also address concerns about AI. Worries about privacy and data security need careful attention, and strong measures like encryption and strict privacy rules can help ease these worries. We should remember that AI doesn't replace human expertise; it adds to it. AI is a tool that helps healthcare professionals make better diagnoses, handle administrative tasks more efficiently, and give personalized advice based on lots of data.
Policymakers, as the ones who shape the future of healthcare, need to understand the value of self-care and how technology can help. AI has the power to make healthcare resources work better and keep health systems strong and sustainable. Thus, healthcare professionals need to know how to use AI effectively. Having access to these technological tools during my time as a doctor could have really helped patients take better care of themselves.
In short, the combination of promoting self-care, using AI, and changing healthcare policies is a unique chance to redefine patient health. The strong link between self-care and better health results is incredibly important, and the growing push to include self-care in healthcare strategies shows how vital it is. With the rise of AI, there's a real opportunity to boost self-care efforts, empowering patients and preventing health problems. By clearing up misunderstandings and using AI well, policymakers can guide the transformation of healthcare systems, putting patient health at the center in our increasingly technology-driven world.
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Pioneering Patient Wellbeing through AI and Self-Care
Image via Adobe Stock.
October 11, 2023
Patients have historically suffered complications from illness that could have been avoided with more time for proper education. Today, the merging of med-tech, AI, and a focus on self-care has made the prospect of elevating patient wellbeing more attainable than ever, writes Dr. Amelle Liazoghli.
I
remember my busy mornings as a doctor—seeing 30 patients, each with their own health problems. Some had fevers, coughs, and sneezes, while others needed advice about diabetes or recovering after surgery. I felt like an acrobat juggling too many balls, rarely having enough time for detailed explanations. Sometimes, my patients returned to the clinic due to complications that could have been avoided with more time for proper education. But nowadays, with the merging of medical technology, AI, and a growing focus on self-care, the prospect of elevating patient wellbeing is more attainable than ever.
At the core of this transformation is the interdependence of wellbeing and self-care. Beyond theory, actively managing one's health leads to better outcomes. Engaging in self-care—through exercise, diet, stress management, and treatment adherence—not only improves health but also lightens the burden on healthcare systems. This symbiotic relationship underscores self-care's pivotal role in shaping health outcomes. Ultimately, prioritizing self-care empowers individuals to enhance their wellbeing while positively impacting the broader healthcare landscape.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a game-changer for bringing together self-care and improving wellbeing by changing how patients get information and look after their health. Health apps that use AI give real-time advice on managing symptoms, taking medications correctly, and making personalized lifestyle changes. This new ability empowers people to keep a close eye on their health, spot potential issues early, and take action to prevent them—all without leaving their homes. AI's ability to provide information in an easy-to-understand format helps people comprehend their conditions and treatment plans better.
Self-care is about preventing problems, and AI can help a lot with that. AI can use predictive analytics to identify people at risk and help them before chronic conditions develop. By looking at people’s data and behaviors, AI can suggest exercise routines, changes in diet, and ways to manage stress that are tailored to everyone. This approach not only takes some of the load off healthcare facilities but also improves people's quality of life. It encourages a culture where people take an active role in their health and wellbeing.
A worldwide effort under the umbrella of the "United for Self-Care Coalition" started in 2022, bringing together different groups like academia, NGOs, private sector, and health experts. They all agree that self-care is essential in healthcare planning. This global movement wants self-care to be a part of every health strategy, supported by a resolution from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Indeed, the WHO acknowledges the importance of self-care, yet its full value is often fragmented across policies, lacking systematic and comprehensive integration across all areas. The United for Self-Care Coalition is working towards the systematic incorporation of self-care into policies across the healthcare spectrum, simultaneously covering more than 190 countries.
As efforts move forward, it's important to also address concerns about AI. Worries about privacy and data security need careful attention, and strong measures like encryption and strict privacy rules can help ease these worries. We should remember that AI doesn't replace human expertise; it adds to it. AI is a tool that helps healthcare professionals make better diagnoses, handle administrative tasks more efficiently, and give personalized advice based on lots of data.
Policymakers, as the ones who shape the future of healthcare, need to understand the value of self-care and how technology can help. AI has the power to make healthcare resources work better and keep health systems strong and sustainable. Thus, healthcare professionals need to know how to use AI effectively. Having access to these technological tools during my time as a doctor could have really helped patients take better care of themselves.
In short, the combination of promoting self-care, using AI, and changing healthcare policies is a unique chance to redefine patient health. The strong link between self-care and better health results is incredibly important, and the growing push to include self-care in healthcare strategies shows how vital it is. With the rise of AI, there's a real opportunity to boost self-care efforts, empowering patients and preventing health problems. By clearing up misunderstandings and using AI well, policymakers can guide the transformation of healthcare systems, putting patient health at the center in our increasingly technology-driven world.
