Doctor with folded arms

Google’s medical AI suite streamlines workflows inside clinical settings and out

AI-powered clinical support projects attracts interest across healthcare sector
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Image: Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

15 December 2023

Google has unveiled MedLM, a set of advanced AI models for medical applications. The suite comprises two models based on the Med-PaLM 2, offering versatility to meet the varying needs of healthcare providers. In real-world applications, HCA Healthcare is piloting MedLM to generate medical notes from clinician-patient dialogues, thus streamlining workflows.

At its core, MedLM is designed to expedite and improve clinical workflows. Its implementation within HCA Healthcare, where the technology assists in drafting patient notes, is a testament to its practicality and effectiveness. The AI models harness Google’s Med-PaLM 2, which has garnered attention for scoring expertly in US medical licensing exam-style questions. This prowess is now being channeled to aid clinicians, providing a tool that promises not only to save time but also to reduce the incidence of burnout among healthcare professionals.

Google’s strategy involves offering a dual-model approach within MedLM to cater to different clinical scenarios: A larger model is tailored for complex tasks requiring detailed analysis, and a medium model optimised for real-time applications and seamless integration into clinical settings.

 

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Applications and partnerships

Real-world deployments of MedLM have already begun, with Google collaborating with notable healthcare organisations and technology partners. Augmedix, a company specialising in medical documentation, has integrated MedLM into its app, which physicians use to transcribe medical conversations into structured notes.

Similarly, BenchSci is utilizing MedLM within its Ascend platform to accelerate pre-clinical research and development. The AI’s ability to parse and understand complex medical language is aiding researchers in rapidly identifying relevant information, thus expediting the drug discovery process. These applications highlight MedLM’s versatility and its potential to impact various facets of healthcare delivery.

Accenture and Google Cloud’s partnership exemplifies another dimension of MedLM’s impact, focusing on improving patient access, experience, and outcomes. By facilitating the development of AI-powered tools that enhance patient-provider interactions, MedLM is poised to play a crucial role in personalising and improving the healthcare journey for patients.

A pilot project being run by Deloitte is using MedLM to help contact centre agents match patients with the most suitable providers based on factors including plan and condition. Such tools not only streamline the administrative side of healthcare but also enrich the quality of service received by patients, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate care efficiently.

Advancing medical AI research

TGoogle’s focus on advancing AI within medicine reflects a broader trend in which technology is becoming an indispensable aide in the quest for better health outcomes.

MedLM is a clear indicator of AI’s potential for the healthcare sector. From allowing physicians to create more accurate medical notes to speeding up drug discovery and enhancing patient interactions, MedLM is setting the stage for a future where AI and healthcare are inextricably linked.

As the healthcare industry grapples with immense pressures, including an aging population and the ongoing need for cost-effective care, solutions like MedLM offer a glimpse into a future where the burden on healthcare systems can be alleviated through technology. Google’s foray into healthcare-specific AI models through MedLM may be remembered as a pivotal moment in the quest for a smarter, more responsive, patient-centred healthcare system.

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