How AI Can Help Chronic Patients: From Monitoring To Support, A Closer Look

AI is revolutionising remote patient monitoring, providing healthcare providers with the possibility of proactive care based on predictive analytics.

Monitoring patients' health in real-time is one of the greatest impacts AI has on at-home care.

Source : soc7/Pixabay

By Deepak Kinger

Chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disorders often necessitate constant observation and monitoring, which can be overwhelming for both the patient and the caregiver. Regular hospital visits, the complexity of managing drugs, and the psychological burden of chronic disease management can make it difficult to focus on the day-to-day functions of our busy lives. However, a technological revolution has changed the way health is managed at home, offering a ray of hope for chronic patients and their caregivers.

Artificial intelligence (AI), with its ability to relieve the burden of constant monitoring, is a promising solution, bringing a sense of reassurance and relief to the healthcare journey of such patients.

AI is the new game changer, delivering advanced medical support to patients' homes. This approach not only relieves the strain on healthcare systems but also empowers individuals to take control of their health. Leveraging the power of AI tools, patients can manage their health more independently, reducing their dependence on frequent hospital visits and ultimately ensuring improved patient outcomes. This empowerment instils a sense of control and independence, reducing the feeling of dependence on healthcare systems.

AI-Powered Monitoring & Early Detection

Monitoring patients' health in real-time is one of the greatest impacts AI has on at-home care. Today, there are many wearable devices like Fitbit and the like equipped with AI algorithms that can continuously track vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. This data is then analysed to identify patterns and predict potential health issues before they escalate. Apple Watch, Samsung and Garmin (for example) all have advanced health features powered by AI.

For patients managing hypertension, accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is the most critical aspect of their diagnosis and management.  BP monitors powered by can help improve the accuracy of these at-home devices to not only provide the current value but also carry out a predictive signal on whether the BP levels are likely to rise, fall or remain stable.

Another example of the use of AI is in the ongoing care for people with Type 1 Diabetes. There are now hybrid closed-loop systems powered by AI algorithms that connect a CGM or Contiguous Glucose Monitor with an Insulin Pump to autonomously administer the amount of insulin based on blood sugar level, food intake and predicted activity levels. Apart from raising an alarm to the person with the condition when blood glucose levels are above or below a threshold, this system can also automatically alert caregivers or healthcare providers if an anomaly is detected through an online portal or mobile app, enabling timely intervention and preventing serious complications. 

Personalised Support & Guidance

AI-driven virtual assistants powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) and Large Action Models (LAMs) have evolved to provide chronic patients with more personalised support. These intelligent assistants have an agentic behaviour that can help patients manage their schedules, remind them about medications, and even warn against possible drug interactions. They can also provide personalised health insights based on a patient's data, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their treatment. This personalised support helps patients feel more cared for and less isolated, even when they are managing their health from home, fostering a sense of connection and care.

Improve Remote Patient Monitoring

AI is revolutionising remote patient monitoring, providing healthcare providers with the possibility of proactive care based on predictive analytics. AI algorithms can carry out triaging based on medical conditions and help identify early warning signs from patient data collected through wearable devices and other at-home monitoring tools. This way, the frequency of hospital visits decreases, while health outcomes improve because it detects and treats problems before they are severe. 

GenAI power Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) platforms are being built that provide a unified and integrated patient care interface for patients and their caregivers.  This includes data about their vital signs being fed from the devices, past clinical summaries, medication and a chatbot for 24x7 support to streamline communication. Standards like Health Level Seven (HL7) are a set of standards for exchanging, sharing, integrating, and retrieving electronic health information (EHI) are pivotal for such remote monitoring platforms. 

Mental Health Support

Chronic illness is often very challenging emotionally. New AI-powered mental health tools are helpful, offering emotional support and allowing patients to deal with the stress and anxiety that the illness can cause. Some may provide individualised relaxation and mindfulness techniques. In some cases, online support groups are even accessible through such tools. 

There is also the possibility of AI agents that do an auto-analysis of a patient’s hospital visits and other physician interactions captured through a voice-to-text interface to do a pattern analysis to detect depression or other mental issues.

Getting Started With AI-Powered Healthcare Solutions

For patients considering incorporating AI into their at-home care, here are some steps to get started:

• Consult with your healthcare provider: Discuss your specific needs and explore AI solutions that align with your treatment plan.
• Research and compare different AI tools: Look for reputable providers and ensure the chosen solution is user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with your existing devices. Also, consider if they are compliant with industry standards for healthcare information exchange.
• Data privacy and security: Ensure the chosen platform follows strict data privacy regulations and incorporates robust security measures, especially if they are hosted on the cloud.
• Follow a scaled approach: Start with one or two AI-based tools and gradually extend once you are comfortable working with this technology.

The future of at-home healthcare is bright with the transformational power of AI. This technology is bringing advanced care into the comfort of the home by empowering chronic patients to manage their health better, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing overall well-being. With continued advancements happening all the time, we can look forward to even more innovative solutions that will further improve the lives of people living with chronic conditions.

(The author Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of EvoluteIQ)

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