5 major applications of conversational AI in healthcare

Imagine a working parent needing immediate medical guidance for their child on a hectic Monday morning. With tight schedules and doctor’s appointments hard to secure, commuting to a clinic isn’t an option. Enter AI-powered chatbots and virtual health assistants—delivering instant, reliable medical advice directly to patients when traditional access is limited. It’s a game-changer in delivering accessible patient care. This is just among the many AI applications in healthcare.

Conversational AI encompasses advanced technologies like chatbots, virtual assistants, and customer support agents that allow computers to engage in human-like conversations, typically through text or voice interactions. It uses natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and speech recognition to understand, process, and respond to user inputs in a conversational manner. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the top five applications of conversational AI in healthcare, illustrating how these solutions are paving the way for a more efficient and responsive healthcare system.

Top 5 applications of conversational AI in healthcare

Let’s dive into some of the key AI applications in healthcare – 

1. Patient support and engageme

Babylon’s virtual assistants help patients by assessing symptoms, scheduling appointments, and offering personalized health advice, guiding them to the right care based on their history. IBM’s Watson Assistant enhances patient engagement with streamlined symptom checking and scheduling, allowing medical staff to focus on complex cases. AI-powered chatbots and virtual health assistants are rapidly gaining popularity in the healthcare sector, offering a wide range of services. 

These tools not only provide comprehensive medical information and general health advice, as seen in Sarah’s case, but they also streamline administrative tasks, such as appointment scheduling and follow-ups. Furthermore, their 24/7 availability ensures that patients have instant access to reliable information and support, thereby greatly enhancing the overall healthcare experience.

2. Administrative efficiency

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, for instance, uses AI-powered chatbots to manage appointment bookings. In turn, this approach eases administrative burdens and improves patient flow.

Furthermore, AI automates tasks such as scheduling, rescheduling, canceling, and sending reminders. As a result, this automation significantly reduces the workload on administrative teams, thereby allowing them to focus on tasks that require a human touch.

In addition, automation minimizes errors, like double bookings or missed follow-ups, which helps keep workflows smooth and accurate. Ultimately, this enhanced efficiency not only improves time and resource management but also boosts patient satisfaction and streamlines healthcare delivery overall.

3. Patient education

There are an array of AI applications in healthcare. One of them is educational assistance. Conversational AI personalizes the whole process of educating patients about their health conditions, preventive measures, and possible treatment plan. If patients want to know more about how certain treatments/medications are working, AI answers their questions in real time. 

Ada Health’s AI chatbot offers personalized health assessments by analyzing symptoms and providing tailored insights. It guides patients on next steps, like consulting a doctor or taking preventive measures, while delivering real-time answers to health questions, making healthcare information more accessible.

4. Clinical decision support

Mayo Clinic’s AI platform, integrated with their EHR system, uses NLP and machine learning to analyze patient data, aiding in diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. The AI identifies patterns in clinical data, helping doctors predict outcomes and optimize care pathways. AI tools and technologies are enabling clinical decision-making through data integration, and analysis. AI is capable of assessing patient data accurately and supporting healthcare professionals in the decision-making process. It involves the integration of modern tools like electronic health records (EHRs) and streamlining clinical workflows. 

5. Telemedicine and remote monitoring

Touchcore Systems’ AI-powered telemedicine platform enables remote consultations by integrating AI for initial patient interactions and symptom analysis. Wearable devices track vital signs, with AI assessing data in real-time to detect health anomalies. After the pandemic, remote consultations became very popular. This scenario empowered developers to introduce sophisticated telehealth platforms capable of handling preliminary patient interactions. Rather than canceling a doctor’s visit entirely due to work, commute, or illness, patients can now use virtual visits to address their health concerns.

AI on the horizon: Paving the way of personalized healthcare 

To sum it up, there is tremendous scope for AI applications in healthcare. From chatbots handling patient inquiries, and scheduling appointments to virtual assistants enhancing clinical workflows, and patient monitoring. The healthcare landscape is rapidly digitizing. These advancements are breaking down barriers, making patient care more efficient, accessible, and personalized. Hospitals, researchers, and healthcare companies are adapting to this shift. Observing their progress will reveal how AI is driving a future of smarter, safer healthcare.

For an in-depth exploration of AI’s impact on healthcare, download our detailed whitepaper now and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of digital health.