Digital health technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered and experienced by patients, and the American Medical Association (AMA) is at the forefront of this transformation. 

AMA at CES 2023

This is what Bobby Mukkamala, AMA Immediate Past Chair-Board of Trustees, said as a spotlight speaker at the CES 2023 "AI, Digital Health, and the Future of Patient Care" segment. The otolaryngologist also discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) could soon take over the domain of medicine, but in a way, that benefits both physicians and patients.

As the largest and most influential physician organization in the US, the AMA has a long history of shaping state policy decisions and leading the charge to confront public health crises. With a focus on the present and future of healthcare delivery, the AMA is increasingly recognizing the role that digital technologies and AI can play in improving patient care, clinician well-being, and lowering costs.

Digitization of Healthcare

One of the key trends in digital health over the past few years has been the increasing digitization of healthcare, Mukkamala explains. From electronic health records to telemedicine and remote monitoring, more and more healthcare providers are adopting digital tools to deliver care to patients. 

This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with more and more physicians using digital tools to diagnose and treat patients. This adoption of remote care tools, such as televisits and remote monitoring, has been particularly helpful in addressing the continued rise in chronic disease and major public health events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Mukkamala highlights in his presentation.

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Another major trend in digital health mentioned in the talk is the increasing use of augmented intelligence and AI. By using machine learning algorithms and other AI technologies, healthcare providers are able to better analyze and interpret data, identify patterns, and make more informed decisions about patient care. 

This can help to improve the accuracy of diagnoses, reduce the risk of errors, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. However, the AMA recognizes that there are also concerns about the lack of transparency and trust in some AI technologies, and is working to ensure that physicians are involved in the design and development of these tools to ensure they are used ethically and effectively.

"To sort of make it implementable quickly, in a way that we embrace, we as physicians is to involve us in its creation," Mukkamala emphasizes.

Health 2047

One way the AMA is doing this is through its Health 2047 initiative, a Silicon Valley-based business development company founded by the AMA in 2016. Health 2047 is focused on enabling data liquidity and realigning healthcare systems to better manage chronic care and enhance productivity at all levels. 

To achieve these goals, Health 2047 partners with leading companies in the digital health space, including Phenomix Sciences, Zing Health, Emergence, and Sitebridge Research.

In addition to Health 2047, the AMA also operates the Physician Innovation Network, which connects the world of medicine with the world of technology and innovation. 

Through this network, the AMA is harnessing the power of AI to provide physicians with a voice in the design and development of new AI technologies, as well as training and support in using these tools. 

This is especially important in light of the fact that while one in five physicians currently use AI in their practice, three out of five are hopeful that it can be used to improve patient care.

As the AMA looks ahead to its 175th anniversary, it is clear that the organization is committed to becoming more digital and leveraging the power of AI and other digital health technologies to improve patient care. 

While these technologies are not meant to replace physicians, they can be a valuable tool for augmenting already available knowledge and helping to treat people more effectively, Mukkamala details in his talk. 

By involving physicians in creating these technologies and ensuring transparency and trust, the AMA is positioning itself as a leader in the digital health space and helping to shape the future of healthcare.

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