Enhancing health care with AI: The future of health data accessibility
A new private health tracking system, which uses artificial intelligence, is being launched with a goal to improve health data sharing across the U.S. health care system by 2026. This effort, led by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will share personal health data and electronic medical records, with patient permission, across multiple platforms and make access to health records more accessible to patients, providers and app platforms. This accessibility will aid providers in managing both complex and mainstream health conditions and could help provide cohesive and efficient treatment coordination.
To date, over 60 companies and 11 health systems have joined CMS’ initiative. Leading technology companies have also pledged to work with health systems and CMS to streamline access to medical records and data.
Big tech companies, including Amazon and others, have partnered to develop the necessary tools and foundation for secure health data sharing. Wellness and weight management apps will be able to access users’ medical records and deliver AI-powered insights to support their health goals and may help accelerate diagnoses and the initiation of appropriate treatments.
Participation in the program is voluntary, and while the program is a significant improvement in the digital accessibility of medical records, it is limited in its access of information to shared data and does face technical challenges, including privacy and data security.
The takeaway
This new initiative could revolutionize the way providers access medical records and data for individual patients, enabling health care professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s medical history, test results and ongoing care in a more efficient and streamlined manner than ever before. However, the scope of information remains limited to data from patients who have opted into the program.
The effectiveness of AI in this context hinges on the quality and availability of data. The accuracy and reliability of AI-driven insights are directly influenced by the comprehensiveness of the data. Furthermore, the program faces significant privacy and ethical challenges. Safeguarding personal health data and maintaining patient confidentiality are critical. Ethical considerations regarding data usage and potential misuse must also be addressed. Overcoming these hurdles will be essential for the successful implementation and acceptance of this health data sharing initiative.
Learn more about what’s happening in health care in our industry outlook.
