Machine learning is a statistical and algorithmic technique for fitting models to data and learning by training models with data. In healthcare, it refers to neural networks, deep learning, and precision medicine. In recent years, The healthcare system has seen significant technological advancement. The increasing adoption of machines and robots in medical settings is driven by the capability of machines to perform precise, efficient, and clean work. These cutting-edge technologies are transforming the healthcare environment by providing assistance to surgeons in operating rooms and automating repetitive duties. Machine learning algorithms are integrated into robot programming which enables them to make decisions based on changing parameters, adapt, and learn from data. To put it succinctly, Machine learning assists IT systems in identifying patterns within pre-existing algorithms and datasets, essentially allowing for the formulation of the best solution.
In this article, we will talk about machine learning, how machine learning is used in healthcare, various machine learning algorithms, the benefits of machine learning, and the future of machine learning in healthcare.
What is Machine Learning in Healthcare?
Machine Learning in Healthcare refers to the application of Artificial Intelligence methods that allow computer systems to analyze intricate medical data, discern patterns, and make assumptions or choices to support patient care and well-being. It has wide usage in medical settings. From diagnosis of simple diseases to performing intricate operations. It has a wide scope of application in the medical field. The use of AI chatbots in booking appointments and diagnosis processes can help in creating a more personalized and convenient healthcare experience. In a medical setting, machine learning can be used to conduct routine tasks like the management of patients’ records, auditing, finance, and many more. The main goal is to reduce the need for human labor and engagement in the process as much as possible.
Applications of Machine Learning in the Healthcare Sector
1. Detecting Diseases and Diagnosis
Machine learning plays a significant role in diagnosing diseases. AI can help in diagnosing diseases that humans have difficulty identifying. Identifying and detecting cancer at an early stage is notoriously hard and often very tricky. IBM Watson Genomics shows how cognitive computing is combined with genome-based tumor sequencing to give a quick diagnosis. Similarly, Berg, which is one of the biggest biopharma companies, is also using AI to introduce oncology treatment.
2. Drug Discovery
ML is widely used in the early-stage drug discovery process. This encompasses research and development technologies like next-generation sequencing and precise medicine, which can aid in discovering alternative approaches to treat complex diseases with multiple contributing factors. It can also be used to make personalized medication for patients with certain special requirements and according to their medical history.
3. Treatment Personalization
Medicine is dynamic and complex. Every patient has a unique set of requirements and specifics. So personalized medication is needed for effective diagnosis and treatment of patients. Machine Learning is helping to expand the horizon of the diagnosis process. IBM Watson Oncology uses the medical history of the patient to create multiple treatment options.
4. Effective Recordkeeping
Maintaining up-to-date patient records is challenging due to monotonous data entry. Machine Learning in healthcare, including optical character recognition (OCR) technology for physicians’ handwriting, will speed up the data entry process. ML simplifies the process to save time, effort, and costs. MIT is working on intelligent health records integrating machine learning for diagnosis and treatment recommendation.
5. Predictive Analytics
Early diagnosis of any disease at the initial stage can potentially save lives. Diabetes, one the most common yet dangerous diseases, is known to cause other serious health issues like vision loss, kidney issues, and heart-related problems. Naive Bayes is a classification algorithm in machine learning that is used for early diagnosis of diabetes.
6. Image Analysis
In the healthcare sector, machine learning is applied to image processing to improve the analysis and interpretation of medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. One of the well-known machine learning in healthcare examples is the InnerEye project. It was initially built on 3D radiological images, where AI tools were built to distinguish healthy cells and tumors. It could also be used in teeth segmentation and quantitative cancer detection.
7. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP is one of the branches of Artificial intelligence that focuses on human-computer interaction. It enables computers to understand human language and generate responses in a meaningful way. It is used in AI chatbots, language translation and to interpret medical records to make it easily understandable.
8. Data Collection
A physician needs to know the medical history of a patient before suggesting any treatment. This is often challenging as people do not know which data is relevant to disclose. Machine learning in healthcare management will allow professionals to determine the most relevant data and information about the patient and get a prediction of the most likely conditions.
9. Fraud Detection
Artificial engineering and machine learning in healthcare for fraud detection in medical settings involve deploying advanced algorithms and data analysis methods to identify and avert fraudulent actions within the healthcare system. It mostly works in areas like medical billing insurance, and financial transactions. This helps to save time and money for the hospital.
10. Disease outbreak prediction
One of the prominent applications of AI and machine learning in healthcare is outbreak or epidemic predictions. AI has access to large amounts of real-time data through social media, news, and even satellite imagery. This information can be used to carefully analyze the potential outbreak and warn the general public before it’s too late.
Machine Learning Algorithms Used in Healthcare
● Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is the closest to a human-like machine learning algorithm used in healthcare. They process data through various nodes with their specific criteria and need very little human intervention. In healthcare, it is largely used in medical image processing, medical bots, biochemical research, and speech recognition.
● Logistic regression
Logistic regression, an extensively used machine learning algorithm in healthcare, excels at predicting binary outcomes. The algorithm evaluates the probability of specific events, which is a vital feature in classification tasks within the medical field. It aids in diagnosis, treatment decisions for at-risk patients, and behavior plan adjustments.
● Support vector machines
Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are primarily utilized for classification purposes, unlike linear regression algorithms. They have mostly been used for drug development, medication adherence prediction, and segmenting medical images and text. SVMs have been used by medical researchers since the 1990s, and they play an important role in classifying data from large, imbalanced, or incomplete data.
● Random forests
The ML algorithm known as Random Forest constructs a decision tree by processing data through multiple trees and then calculating the average or most likely outcome based on the combined outcomes of all trees. In the healthcare field, this algorithm is used in disease prediction and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrocardiogram (ECG) data.
● Naive Bayes classifier
It is one of the most prominent algorithms in use. It is based on the eponymous theorem. Its major advantage is that it has an exceptional ability to work with both independent and dependent variables. The algorithm is highly sensitive and is also an alternative to logistic regression.
Benefits of ML in the Healthcare Sector
● Improved Diagnosis
Machine Learning can be used by physicians to develop better diagnostic tools. The algorithm is used to better examine medical images like X-rays and MRI scans using pattern recognition to determine the diseases. This technology will allow doctors to save time and improve patient outcomes.
● Affordable cost
Machine Learning technologies in medical settings can help in improving the efficiency of healthcare which can ultimately help to reduce cost. For example, automating the management process in healthcare will potentially help to save time and resources wasted on repetitive tasks.
● Less Medication Error
Medication errors can be fatal for patients. Machine learning and AI in healthcare can potentially help to reduce such errors and cross-check the prescribed medication given by medical professionals.
The Future of Healthcare in Machine Learning
The global healthcare AI market, with a value exceeding $11 billion in 2021, is projected to grow to approximately $187 billion by 2030. This growth is expected to occur at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37% from 2022 to 2030.
As per experts from CDR Writer Australia, healthcare and machine Learning have integrated to form a reliable, efficient, and friendly medical setting. In the coming years, medical professionals can use ML in nanotechnology to improve the medicine used to treat organs. It can also enable us to perform virtual biopsies. Also, robots could be used to assist surgeons in operating rooms.
Conclusion
Machine learning and the Healthcare system need to be woven together to build a more reliable, effective, and affordable healthcare system. The use of such an algorithm will eliminate the need for doing repetitive work and save time. It also automates the management process which saves human labor. This in turn will make the system much more convenient and accessible to general people. It can also be used to assist medical professionals in the operating room. There are countless applications of Machine Learning in healthcare. Further advancement will open doors for the new usage of the technology.
FAQs
1. What is machine learning in healthcare?
Machine Learning in Healthcare refers to the application of Artificial Intelligence methods that allow computer systems to analyze intricate medical data, discern patterns, and make assumptions or choices to support patient care and well-being
2. What role does machine learning play in drug discovery?
Machine Learning plays a vital role in drug discovery. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are primarily utilized for this purpose, unlike linear regression algorithms. SVMs have been used by medical researchers since the 1990s, and they play an important role in classifying data from large drug discovery.
3. Are there privacy concerns with healthcare machine learning?
As long as proper cybersecurity protocol is maintained, regular audits are done and periodic maintenance work along with anti-virus software is installed then there will not be any privacy concerns with healthcare machine learning
4. How does machine learning benefit patient care?
Machine Learning in healthcare helps to improve patient care. It helps in making the registration and payment process smooth and less time-consuming. It also helps to accurately diagnose the disease and provide proper medications.
