By: Nik Korba
Imagine having your own personal healthcare assistant with an intimate knowledge of your health history. This assistant would be available 24/7 and could help you with everything from losing weight to recovering from heart surgery. Moreover, it would be affordable, efficient, and always keep itself up-to-date on possible diagnoses and preferred prescriptions.
What you are imagining is telehealth empowered by artificial intelligence, a vision that could shape the future of healthcare.
“In the telehealth space, AI’s potential benefits include improved efficiency in patient triage and diagnosis, enhanced data analytics for personalized treatment plans, and better resource allocation, ensuring that patients can receive timely care,” explains Josh Thompson, CEO of Impact Health USA and Impact Health University. “AI’s ability to analyze large datasets quickly also allows for more accurate predictive analytics, which may be crucial for preventive care and chronic disease management. These advancements not only streamline operations but also have the potential to elevate the overall patient experience, making care more accessible and tailored to individual needs.”
Thompson is one of the leading voices in the telehealth space, empowering entrepreneurs to play a driving role in extending care through innovative technology. Through Impact Health USA, he provides a platform that enhances providers’ capabilities to deliver comprehensive and convenient care via telehealth technology. Impact Health USA opens doors for providers to offer remote access to primary care, mental health support, and obesity medications in all 50 US states.
While Thompson’s platform and others like it are contributing to the groundwork for an AI-powered revolution in the telehealth space, there are still challenges that must be addressed. Before healthcare providers can fully take advantage of AI’s benefits, they must find ways to balance innovation, compliance, and ethical challenges.
Ensuring AI-powered telehealth is compliant
Healthcare providers have a long list of regulations they are expected to comply with when engaging with patients. As they seek to enhance their engagement through AI-powered telehealth, they must carefully consider how those regulations apply.
For example, telehealth technology allows providers to serve patients virtually anywhere. That means providers must know which states allow telehealth across state lines and the legal requirements for healthcare websites in any jurisdictions where potential patients might want to connect.
When AI is added to the mix, determining compliance requirements can become even more challenging. Regulations addressing AI use are still emerging. In 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services published a first-of-its-kind rule that addresses the application of AI to electronic health records.
Data security is another concern in telehealth that is addressed extensively by regulations, including the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As AI-driven platforms are given access to patient data, security concerns could increase.
“For those concerned about regulatory compliance in AI-powered telehealth, my advice is to prioritize data security and patient privacy at every stage,” Thompson shares. “Ensure that your AI systems are HIPAA-compliant and that you’re working with vendors who understand the regulatory landscape. It’s also essential to implement continuous monitoring and auditing processes to catch and rectify any compliance issues quickly. Staying informed about evolving regulations and participating in industry discussions can also help ensure your practices remain aligned with legal requirements.”
Ensuring AI-powered telehealth is ethical
Ethical concerns have been among the chief complaints as AI has been integrated into technology platforms across the business world. Opponents have pointed to biases in AI algorithms, a lack of transparency, and a lack of diversity in the groups developing AI as ethical shortcomings. They fear that failing to address ethical issues might result in a future in which certain groups are overlooked or underserved by AI-driven applications.
“The most troubling risks in telehealth include AI bias, which could lead to inequitable care, especially if the underlying data is flawed or not representative,” Thompson states. “Additionally, there is the risk of over-reliance on AI, where clinicians might defer too much to algorithms, potentially overlooking important clinical judgment. These risks highlight the need for careful oversight and the development of ethical AI standards in healthcare.”
Telehealth is emerging as an effective tool for getting much-needed medical care to underserved communities, with AI-driven enhancement offering the potential to make the tool even more powerful. However, if ethical concerns are not prioritized in AI’s development, AI-driven telehealth may not meet those communities’ unique needs in an effective way.
“The discomfort with AI in healthcare is understandable, given that we’re dealing with people’s lives and health,” Thompson says. “Concerns about data privacy, decision-making transparency, and potential job displacement are reasonable. To improve acceptance, it’s crucial to increase transparency around how AI decisions are made and to ensure patients and providers are involved in these processes. Educating both the public and healthcare professionals on the benefits of AI, along with ensuring robust ethical guidelines, could help build trust and alleviate fears.”
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Published by Anne C.
