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Artificial Intelligence in healthcare
Healthcare in India is growing and complex phenomena due to the increase in population with the same set of healthcare centres eventually resulting in inefficient service towards people suffering from various diseases. The problem still exists as the health care system in India has a complex structure. This health care industry structure is divided into multiple layers. Historically, the Indian sector was governed mainly by a government agency but due to an increase in the private sector, it has resulted in a growing or expansive presence of the private sector in this field. Even though the rules of this sector are governed under the primary health care sector, the presence of private sector is majorly in the secondary and tertiary sector. Technological development in a country with a population of 1.3 billion has its own significance in developing the health care system in the country. Artificial intelligence is the next big innovative and non-invasive method introduced in very own form in the country by many start-up firms. Introduction of technology in medical science has been a way by which there are higher chances of eliminating human errors.
 
What is Artificial Intelligence?
 
It is basically called as machine intelligence in terms of computer science. It a contrast version of natural intelligence depicted by the human in real sense.
 
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
 
Increase of technological use in the healthcare system has been a virtue or kind of a blessing for doctors or medical caregivers. Use of medical devices in hospitals and health care centres, various mobile applications and wearable devices helps to maintain the health condition of the customers who buy it and also helps the doctors for early detection of any health issues. Many hospitals these days use technologies. Introduction of artificial intelligence is expected to reduce this manual effort making it probably negligible. For Example:
  1. Manipal Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in India uses the artificial intelligence technique to get the early diagnosis of diseases they intend to cure. Manipal hospital is using IBM’s Watson for Oncology a cognitive computing platform for helping physicians discovering new ways for cancer protection and care options.
  2. Columbia Asia Hospital uses an artificial intelligence technique for the purpose of early diagnosis of heart diseases or anything related to cardiovascular.
Most of the pioneering players in India are introducing artificial intelligence techniques to enhance the productivity of the health care options by medical sciences. Microsoft has been a leading player in the techno-medical environment by use of cloud computing and artificial intelligence unit known as Healthcare Next. Some of the initiative by Microsoft India that has its roots in eliminated the eye diseases, Microsoft by working parallel with State Government has launched a scheme known as Microsoft Intelligence Network for Eyecare. The state of Telangana has launched a scheme called as Rashtriya BalSwasthya Karyakram helping children to eliminate the diseases regarding eye. 
 
Policy and Regulatory Framework
 
As any new technology is to be introduced in India, there is a framework that has been build in which such technology needs to comply with certain parameters and provisions as per the law for smooth implementation.
 
  1. Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and Indian Medical Council (professional, conduct, ethics and etiquette) Regulation, 2002
  2. Electronic Health Records: Government has introduced the electronic health records, 2016 as a standardized method for regulating the data ownership and privacy standards for collecting health data from patients, this regulatory code also includes the data collected from the medical establishment, medical devices and self-care devices and systems
Data Ownership: - Even though the data is stored by the medical establishment relating to the patient, the customer has the full right over such information.
Data Accesses: - Patients as the rightful owner should have complete access over the data as they are one who can permit its disclosure; no person should disclose the data without prior permission of the concerned person.
Changes to data: - Once the data entered by the person should not be allowed for changes, further changes regarding the data should be accompanied by an audit trail.
Disclosure of Health Information: - Any information related to health can be disseminated only if the identifiers were removed.
Access to health records by Courts: - Any health records demanded by the court should be presented in as it is stated, such information can be disclosed without prior approval and with the procedure established by law.
Responsibility of Health providers: - The responsibility of a health provider is to maintain the data and take its whole responsibility. Such a provider should not submit the data or disclose it without prior permission of the concerned person or by the procedure of the law.
Encryption of the data: - Electronic health records should compulsorily be encrypted with a minimum of bit encryption keys.
Identification: - Patients aadhar card should be used as an identifier and in the absence of aadhar card any two government IDs can be used.
 
Example of effects on Patient
 
In India, 50 % of the women die within half a decade due to a diagnosis of breast cancer, as the traditional cure pattern in medical science is not the upright solution for the disease. Usage of Artificial Intelligence can help in early detection of cancer. AI-based cancer screening test using machine intelligence over thermographic images have given a low cost, easy to operate and portable solution for detecting cancer, thus improving the health condition resulting in survival. Also, the screening test is non-contact, painless and free of radiations.