We all know how AI technology has revolutionized almost every industry. It has been replacing humans in many of these, especially in healthcare. You must have heard of surgical robots in medicine. Today, you can depend on AI assistants for scheduling meetings, and factories can produce faster with robots in assembly lines.
What about mental healthcare? When the pandemic broke out, people’s focus was on telehealth. Artificial Intelligence(AI) technologies facilitated digital mental healthcare. Businesses since then have turned to AI to increase people’s access to mental health services.
Let’s take a tool at the benefits of AI technology in resolving mental health crises:
- Support mental health professionals: Like any other industry, AI can help mental health professionals do their jobs better. Since algorithms analyze data quicker than humans, they can recommend treatments and monitor patient progress. It can alert doctors when there is cause for concern, demanding immediate medical intervention. With AI, providers can sift through the data and collect actionable targets to improve patient care.
- 24×7 accessibility: Mental health professionals are not that many. Getting appointments can be difficult, especially when there is a crisis. However, with AI technologies, you can access mental health services at any time from anywhere. You have chatbots that can interact with patients in real-time. They are available round-the-clock and free of cost. They are private and patient interactions will remain anonymous and confidential too.
- Cost-friendly: Many individuals need professional counselling, but few can afford it. However, AI tools make it possible for people to get mental health services whenever they need them. These are inexpensive and accessible all the time.
In an age of chatbots and apps, patient engagement is vital. The biggest challenge for apps is ensuring patients keep coming back to interact with them. So, AI developers must ensure that these apps have what it takes to offer the best protection for all high-risk patients. Another challenge is protecting the privacy of patients. People may not be comfortable with the idea of being under surveillance in their everyday lives.
Moreover, there is no regulation yet for AI apps overseeing patients’ mental health. These should be used only in consultation with a mental health doctor. It’s not wise to allow AI technologies to replace mental healthcare professionals. As more AI-driven tools surface, protocols must be set to make these safe and effective.
Dehumanizing healthcare using machines is acceptable when the outcomes are better for patients. However, some areas need human intervention and cannot be taken care of by AI. It’s unlikely that AI can empathize with a patient or relate to his emotional state. Mental health issues are diverse. Patients can experience bipolar disorder, mild panic attacks, acute schizophrenia, or mild depression. It’s hard to say if AI can treat all conditions equally well. However, one can’t deny the fact that AI can successfully address the growing need for mental healthcare.
