Conversational AI has the potential to enhance the patient experience at every step of the journey. Here are some examples of how it can make a difference:
- Make appointments and schedule reminders: No need to worry about forgetting an appointment or scheduling conflict. Conversational AI can handle it all.
- Get answers to questions: From general questions about the disease or condition to specific queries about treatments, conversational AI can provide accurate and up-to-date information.
- Find the right support group: Dealing with a chronic illness can be isolating. Conversational AI can help patients find support groups and connect with others who understand what they're going through.
In addition to the obvious benefits, conversational AI can also help save time and money. In one study, patients who used a conversational AI assistant to manage their appointments and medication adherence saved an average of 30 minutes per week. That's equivalent to more than 1,500 hours over the course of a year!
What's more, conversational AI is constantly improving. As more and more data is collected, the technology will only get better at understanding and responding to patients' needs. So if you're looking for a way to make your mark on the patient journey, conversational AI is a great place to start.
The Patient Journey
There are many different ways to map out the patient journey. However, most models include the following stages:
Awareness: The patient becomes aware of a problem or condition.
Research: The patient starts researching possible solutions.
Consultation: The patient consults with a healthcare professional about treatment options.
Decision: The patient makes a decision about which treatment to pursue.
Treatment: The patient undergoes treatment and may or may not experience side effects.
Follow-up: The patient follows up with their healthcare professional to ensure the treatment is working.
At each stage of the journey, conversational AI can provide support and assistance. For example, at the awareness stage, a chatbot could provide general information about the condition. At the research stage, a chatbot could help the patient find reliable sources of information. And at the consultation stage, a chatbot could be used to schedule appointments and gather medical history.
Awareness
The patient becomes aware of a problem or condition.
Conversational AI can help:
- Providing general information about the condition - directing the patient to reliable sources of information
Research
The patient starts researching possible solutions.
Conversational AI can help:
- Helping the patient find reliable sources of information
- Answering questions about the condition
- Comparing treatment options
Consultation
The patient consults with a healthcare professional about treatment options.
Conversational AI can help:
- Scheduling appointments
- Gathering medical history
- Providing support during the consultation
Decision
The patient makes a decision about which treatment to pursue.
Conversational AI can help:
- Providing information about treatment options
- Helping the patient compare treatment options
Treatment
The patient undergoes treatment and may or may not experience side effects.
Conversational AI can help:
- Providing support during treatment
- Monitoring the patient for side effects
- Answering questions about the side effects
Follow-up
The patient follows up with their healthcare professional to ensure the treatment is working.
Conversational AI can help:
- Scheduling appointments
- Monitoring the patient's progress
- Answering questions about the treatment
By providing support at every stage of the journey, conversational AI can make a big difference in the lives of patients.