The nature of this process theoretically ensures a favorable implication of predictive analytics in healthcare. But it has not been proven on a large scale. However, it has already started to help with disease detection, patient management, efficient resource allocation, etc.
As the healthcare industry increasingly relies on technology and data analytics, the demand for skilled professionals in these areas is growing. For those looking to enter or advance in this field, mastering technical interviews is crucial. A resource like Tech Interviews can be invaluable.
Reduction of human errors is one of its main benefits. But it also has some ethical and legal limitations. We will explore both the positive and negative implications in this article.
Probing Opportunities: Positive Implications of Predictive Analytics in Healthcare
Here is a simple list of all the implications of predictive analytics in the coming years.
- Early detection of disease
Traditional methods make Chronic diseases complex to pick up in the early stages. With the help of extensive data analysis and predictive analytical models, it is possible to find the trends for individual patients and diagnose chronic diseases.
- Readmission control
Professionals in this area know the extent of research on readmission control with predictive analytics. One of them is the research on readmission patients with congestive heart failure. It was able to predict certain things like the frequency of readmission and the related factors of this readmission.
Reduction and properly controlling the readmission of patients free medical resources from low to high priority areas. These models can also predict the length of stay. This allows better and longer-lasting medical care.
- Risk profiling
Predictive analytical models work with a lot of data and can better understand the risk of different events. Research from the university of Minnesota used Bayesian multitask learning (BMTL) approach.
This approach considers a set of baseline models for different approaches, allowing a multifaceted risk profiling. The research proves that the process reduces failures and delays in preventive interventions.
- Identifying high-risk patient
We can all understand how big data can predict high-risk patients from their medical records and historical medical data.
However, research has shown that predictive analytical algorithms can also identify high-risk individuals. They are prone to certain illnesses and negative patient behavior, like not following instructions.
- Tailored approach
Previously, doctors relied on a more general approach to solving problems. But now they can tailor it to each patient’s unique needs, reducing the cost of treatment and time taken along with the better care given.
Doctors can easily check medical history, genetic makeup, recent medical developments, and how they react to a particular patient. Operations, surgical treatment planning, and other invasive treatments are also speedily tuned for an individual.
- Suicide prediction
Predictive analytics for suicide prevention has a lot of potential. Among many academic papers, the research submitted by Colin G. Walsh outperformed our expectations.
People with depression oftentimes have very similar characteristics. There are also observable trends in people with successful and unsuccessful suicide attempts. In these scenarios, methods like predictive algorithms can play a vital role.
- Preventing diseases outbreaks
This is a special sector where big data, IT inclusion, and predictive analytics can have a game-changing effect.
With the help of apps and online data collection, healthcare professionals can remotely identify the spread of a disease. They can also know if a person had exposure to a disease. These models can also collect data from social sources and predict the extent of an outbreak.
This was tested for Ebola outbreak scenarios. Blood testing using predictive analytics was also used to determine COVID-19 severity.
- Managing a large pool of patients
Certain events can cause crowding in the hospital. Accidents, calamities, or even battlefield events can put greater pressure on hospitals. In these situations predictive models can help efficient provision of healthcare.
Hospitals that are crowded and hospitals that are far from the urban centers can also have this crowding problem. With this technology, even a small number of medical professionals will be able to service a large number of patients.
- Better and easier decision-making for medical professionals
Information fatigue is a big problem for doctors. Artificial intelligence-assisted EHR data organizations provide suggestions that ease the decision-making process of professionals.
Human interaction will always be needed, but when you have all the data, patterns, history, available resources, and other records at hand, things sure do get a lot easier.
- Reducing the cost of care
Financial value creation has to be the top motivation for the new system if it is not saving the lives of people.
Predictive analytics reduce costs in many ways. First, we must realize that these models reduce potential expenditures and losses by helping us intervene at the right time.
Research from McKinsey Digital claims that $300 billion of value would be created, two-thirds of which will be from healthcare cost reduction. Interviews with top professionals in technology and healthcare provide a deeper understanding of these advancements.
Benefits that are small but significant
The magnitude of change we are talking about here is enormous. Even if a portion of the adaptation of this technology takes place, it is going to change the lives of people in a lot of ways. Here is a small list of them that didn’t get their own section –
- Polished administrative and operational efficiency
- Better medical equipment maintenance
- Reduction of missed appointments
- Enhancing patient engagement
- Early warnings in ICUs
- Drug development
- Easier insurance claims
- Prevention of fraudulent activities
Countless other benefits have been preached in many medical interviews. However, we must also look at the other side of the coin.
Navigating the Complex Terrain: Unveiling Predictive Analytics Challenges in Healthcare
Implementing a revolutionary change like predictive analytics in healthcare will have policy, legal, and ethical challenges.
Ethics of optimizing resources
Predictive analytical algorithms are designed for the overall improvement of a system. With limited resources, this algorithm may suggest withholding potentially beneficial intervention. Because the individual patient is less likely to benefit from it, and there are other patients who have a higher chance of benefitting.
Prioritizing a certain group
It makes algorithmic sense to invest resources for those people who have a higher chance of making the most of those resources. But this will surely give less priority to disadvantaged populations.
Privacy and data security
The electronic health record (EHR) system will use data from other patients without their consent. And this will create trust issues. It is part of an ongoing debate; we don’t want to bring that topic here today.
Conclusion
Predictive analytics in healthcare holds immense potential, offering benefits such as early disease detection, readmission control, risk profiling, and tailored medical approaches. It has demonstrated effectiveness in improving patient outcomes, streamlining healthcare management, and reducing costs. Beyond individual care, its positive impact extends to administrative efficiency, equipment maintenance, appointment adherence, patient engagement, and more.
However, challenges like resource optimization, prioritization concerns, and privacy issues must be addressed for responsible implementation. Striking a balance between these challenges and the transformative benefits is crucial for ethical and effective deployment. As technology advances and the demand for skilled professionals rises, collaborative efforts are needed to navigate these complexities. Ongoing research, ethical frameworks, and open dialogue will ensure that predictive analytics enhances healthcare outcomes while upholding the highest standards of patient care, privacy, and equity.