AI, Telemedicine, Robotics & Other Tech Trends Improving Patient-Care in India

By: Amrita Gangotra, Independent Board Director, Max Healthcare

Amrita Gangotra, an Independent Board Director at Max Healthcare, was appointed to the company's board in August 2023. With over 30 years of experience in the telecom industry, Amrita has played key roles in various business transformation initiatives, including revenue-share IT and digital outsourcing deals. She has also been an entrepreneur, running a digital consulting firm, Ityukt Digital Solutions, that helps translate business needs into digital roadmaps across various industries, including healthcare.

In a conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Amrita talks about the advent of technology in healthcare. She highlights the benefits of introducing telemedicine in rural areas. She believes that using AI in diagnostics has improved the quality of checkups and customer experience.

Where do you see the most critical opportunities for AI to drive operational efficiency and patient care in India’s healthcare sector?

The global healthcare sector is experiencing significant growth, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, services, insurance, and digital care, encompassing various aspects of the industry. The industry is expected to reach a high double-digit billion USD in the next few years, with developed countries like India, Indonesia, and Thailand consolidating healthcare and incorporating digitization to improve patient care.

The fragmented nature of healthcare industries, such as providers and insurance, necessitates the development of AI models to enhance customer experience. AI can be applied in various service providers, such as hospitals, to improve cost efficiency, logistics, and patient care.

In India, the fragmented nature of hospital care, particularly in rural areas, limits the benefits of digitization and AI implementation. Initiatives like a centralized cockpit can help in monitoring the entire operations for the chain of hospitals, ensuring that the benefits are more significant from the cost perspective and enhancing patient experience.

How do you envision the role of IT evolving in healthcare? Is there a future where healthcare providers could be more reliant on predictive analytics than on traditional diagnostic methods?

The healthcare industry is increasingly utilizing AI for diagnostics, as traditional methods of monitoring are outdated. AI-based algorithms are becoming more intelligent and efficient, allowing for better monitoring and treatment of patient parameters. This has led to improved diagnostics, as doctors can now access vast amounts of data without the need for manual intervention. As machines become more sophisticated, data extraction and data lakes are being created, enabling AI-based algorithms to work smarter and pinpoint diagnoses more effectively.

How can the introduction of 5G technology accelerate patient outcomes and improve service delivery in India, especially in rural areas?

Telemedicine has become a significant benefit of the telecom evolution in India and worldwide, allowing doctors to treat patients in remote areas. With the advent of 4G technology, rural areas can now receive consultations from any doctor worldwide, including India. Robotic surgery is also being explored, although it is not yet available on a large scale or for complex surgeries. Data connectivity is crucial for serving patients in remote areas, ensuring healthcare benefits are spread to tier two, tier three, and rural areas.

How can healthcare institutions harness the potential of digital twin technologies for proactive patient care and hospital management?

Remote surgery is a significant use case for digital twins, which are evolving and will take time to scale. The benefits of these digital twins include improved connectivity, digitization, and machine precision. Ensuring the required bandwidth and latency is crucial for remote surgery, as drops in packets or connectivity can negatively impact the operation.

In what ways do you see robotic process automation (RPA) shaping the operational efficiency of hospitals? Are there areas where automation could be counterproductive, and how should the healthcare industry mitigate this?

Cost efficiency is a significant focus for hospitals, with a focus on automating routine tasks and enhancing decision-making through predictive analytics. AI and RPA help doctors and nurses spend quality time with patients, providing valuable data and reports. Connecting RPA processes to mobile applications allows for on-the-go access to patient information, enabling quality care and enhancing overall hospital operations. This approach allows for more efficient and effective patient care.

How do industry leaders assess India’s readiness to adopt telemedicine and virtual health platforms? What strategies can healthcare organizations adopt to ensure these technologies don’t widen the gap between urban and rural healthcare access?

COVID-19 has significantly increased digitization in healthcare, leading to the rise of telemedicine. This technology has proven to be scaled and has become a separate revenue stream in hospitals and care. Telemedicine and AI usage have developed an ecosystem in India, allowing online appointments, consultations, and delivery of medicines. This has been beneficial, especially in rural areas where medicine delivery is limited. However, the affordability of telemedicine remains a challenge, as generic medicines are becoming more prevalent. Despite these challenges, the benefits of telemedicine are expected to continue.