By Cindy Jordan, CEO and Co-Founder, Pyx Health
LinkedIn: Cindy Jordan
LinkedIn: Pyx Health
Last year, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy identified loneliness as a significant public health issue, prompting a search for solutions that offer reliable, affordable, and scalable mental health care.
There is growing pressure on an already-taxed domestic healthcare system to provide personalized and accessible mental health services to those in need, a factor that only compounds the loneliness epidemic highlighted in the Surgeon General’s advisory. Traditional models of mental health care are inherently expensive, rendering them inaccessible for many – from the uninsured to those with pre-existing conditions. The shortage and maldistribution of mental health providers further impede access to care. These strains on the current system leave patients experiencing unacceptably long waiting times for care, too.
Technology can be a valuable tool in addressing these gaps in traditional mental and social health interventions. Developing technology-driven solutions grounded in science and research is crucial to delivering meaningful help. For instance, studies have shown that continuous monitoring and early intervention can improve outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. With today’s technology, healthcare providers can remotely monitor patients’ health status, intervene proactively when necessary, and personalize treatment plans based on real-time data. This illustrates that technology is best used when it improves access to care, reinforces – not replaces – human interactions, and does not interfere with the subjective judgment of trained care teams.
How? By leveraging technological advancements to complement, rather than replace, human interaction in care delivery and support. This approach aims to enhance patient outcomes and positively impact people’s lives by eliminating barriers to care like accessibility and cost, while also creating efficiencies that allow human care teams to excel.
While AI technology has been used for years for adverse-event prediction and operating room scheduling, generative AI is a new tool that can address major challenges in healthcare by collecting, storing, and analyzing patient information, improving patient outcomes, and reducing burdens on healthcare systems. For example, generative AI tools can scan transcripts and health records to synthesize a patient’s medical history for human care teams to have more prescriptive conversations.
In addition, AI can play a pivotal role in informing healthcare teams about their patients. Through input analysis, such as symptom monitoring and tracking daily interactions, mental health practitioners gain deeper insights into their patients’ overall well-being. This holistic approach enables both clinical and non-clinical support staff to provide more effective, human-centric care, which has been shown to improve physical and mental health outcomes.
While there are limitations to today’s technology, it is increasingly being used to provide a lifeline for those struggling with their mental health, including loneliness. Integrating technology into our complex health system unlocks many benefits: constant access to resources, interactive activities, and real-time feedback. For instance, online chatbots can serve as a critical support system, particularly for individuals struggling to reach out to loved ones and/or healthcare providers due to chronic loneliness. Moreover, they provide additional services and support around the social health of patients, like food, transportation, and health literacy, offering a timely and accessible solution.
But emerging technology still lacks empathy, compassion, creativity, and the ability to think and reason as humans do. While AI chatbots are in their relative infancy, some limitations have already become apparent. Studies like The Journal of American Medical Association’s examination of ChatGPT and the National Eating Disorders Association’s chatbot reveal these shortcomings. Therefore, designing and utilizing tools that complement human professionals rather than replace them entirely is vital.
While technology has made significant advancements in mental health care, it is important to note that technology alone is not a panacea. Technology can enhance our care model by providing 24/7 availability, streamlined processes, and quick information synthesis. This allows care teams to focus more on the essential human task of compassion and connection. The onus is on us to appreciate technology’s limitations and benefits while ensuring humans remain at the forefront of our healthcare system.