The Usage of AI in Telehealth - Why is it Worth the Challenges?
Author: Emily Argueta
Editor: Jigyasa Prabhakar
Issue
Telehealth is defined as remote medical assistance through electronic information and telecommunication such as video conferences, health apps, and messaging apps. AI has a significant role in improving the quality of telehealth through categories such as analyzing patient data to support diagnostics, AI- driven wearable devices that alert healthcare providers of issues and integrating quintessential equities within the medical industry. This form of healthcare is undeniably practical and allows for more people to receive the medical help they need without needing to engage in travel or extra expenses. However, various ethical issues have emerged that are feared to accompany the use of AI in telehealth. Therefore, along with the increased use of AI in telehealth comes the growing question: Why is it worth the challenges?
Improved Access to Healthcare
One of the most significant advantages of AI in telehealth is the ability to reach more people in need, even those in remote areas. It has allowed for rural healthcare providers to not only provide quality patient care in difficult areas but also at more affordable prices through virtual visits or video calls. Apart from distance, a lack of transportation and money are major obstacles in the way of quality healthcare, problems that AI in telehealth fixes by enhancing communication and providing real-time transcription, automated diagnostics and optimized video quality while combining vital sign monitoring and virtual assistance. Although there are some voiced concerns about privacy risks, bias in algorithms, which is when data used to program a system is not representative of all people, and over-relying on AI instead of doctors or limited access for those without stable internet, states are already passing laws to combat these challenges. In 2024, Joe Biden passed a law establishing new standards for the safe use of AI in healthcare. According to the Texas Medical Association, “Utilizing the Defense Production Act, the executive order requires leading AI developers to share safety test results and other information with the government. From there, the National Institute of Standards and Technology will create guidelines, leveraged by the Department of Homeland Security, further establishing the AI Safety and Security Board to ensure AI tools are safe and secure before public release.” Additionally, solutions like low data options, mobile friendly platforms and access through community centers can improve internet availability and offer support for low-income patients, making telehealth more accessible for everyone through extending its scope in different platforms. Therefore, the positive impact of AI in healthcare is worth the challenges and highlights why its integration into telehealth is worthwhile.
Reliable Diagnosis
AI significantly improves diagnostic accuracy and speed, making it an invaluable asset in telehealth services. An example is IDx-DR, which is an AI system that checks eye images for signs of diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by high blood sugar due to diabetes and damages the part of your eye that detects light. It analyzes retinal images taken by a camera and provides a diagnostic recommendation which helps identify potential vision problems early. It is FDA approved and allows for quicker screening, especially in areas with a limited supply of ophthalmologists. The concern for this is the over reliance on AI for diagnoses, saying that relying too heavily on AI without human oversight could lead to missed diagnoses or inappropriate treatment recommendations. Although AI's diagnostic tools are not perfect, they can be utilized as a complement to human expertise and identify conditions early, resulting in a highly accurate and effective patient care result. IDx-DR not only improves treatment outcomes but also enhances efficiency by allowing doctors to spend more time on patients in need of immediate or intensive care. Therefore, AI both improves diagnoses and also allows for an increase of patients to receive care.
Cost-Efficiency
Among lower and middle class families, a visit to the doctor is not always an affordable expense and rather one made with sacrifice. Fortunately, AI-powered tools can cut down on operational costs and reduce the need for costly in-person visits because of its adaptive and competitive pricing. Clear Step Health highlights the efficiencies in the virtual triage system by writing, “Implementing a virtual triage system leads to significant savings because it prevents unnecessary ER visits, betters the resource distribution and prepares healthcare facilities so they can reduce their operational costs.” One of the main concerns with this aspect is the displacement of healthcare jobs being replaced by artificial intelligence. However, this aspect of telehealth improves jobs because by performing daily repetitive tasks, it frees up workers’ time so they can spend it on more hands-on patient focused tasks and honing in attention available for patients and job satisfaction.
Summary
To conclude, all the arguments presented above are valid concerns against the growing use of AI in telehealth. However, looking into the advancement and innovation demonstrates its revolutionary advancement since the implementation of artificial intelligence, it is clear that no challenges are more significant than the many benefits it brings. It not only benefits the healthcare system and those who work in it, but also makes a significant impact on patient’s lives by bridging the inequities in the medical industry and improving quality of care.
Works Cited
Rural Health Information Hub. “Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare Overview - Rural Health Information Hub.” Www.ruralhealthinfo.org, 2024, www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/telehealth-health-it.
“Executive Order Requires Safe, Secure Use of AI in Health Care.” Texmed.org, 2024, www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=63050. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025
“IDx-DR.” Healthvisors, www.healthvisors.com/en/idx-dr/.
