Some Use Cases For Alexa In Healthcare – Part 4

It’s been quite a while since I last posted, but here it is!  This will be the last in my series about use cases for voice in healthcare delivery.  I presented these at the Project Voice Conference this past January.  At the end of this post, you’ll find a link to that presentation.

These last two use cases deal with follow-up care after a procedure and with a healthcare team that focuses on helping the patient follow their physician’s recommendations.

POST PROCEDURE USE CASE – PROTOTYPE MY FOLLOWUP CARE

Concept:

  • To provide a vocal interface for patients in addition to the usual printed post-procedure instructions.
  • Would allow for variations among Providers Instructions for each procedure will be grouped by common components/categories, such as:
    • Activity
    • Bathing
    • Diet
    • Medications
    • Wound Care
  • Instructions would be time specific as measured by days from procedure date

My Prototype Includes:

  • Web/EMR-based application to enter post-procedure instructions by or on behalf of the practice
  • MySQL database to host the necessary tables
  • Alexa Skill to allow Users/Patients to access their instructions

Example of All Instructions 3 Days Post LASIK Eye Surgery:

  1. Regarding Activity – DO NOT rub or squeeze your eyes.  Avoid eye make-up.  Avoid dusty and dirty environments.  No swimming or sports.  No driving until permitted by your doctor
  2. Regarding Diet – You may resume your usual diet
  3. Regarding Meds Post Procedure – Use Eye Drop One 4 times during the day.  Eye Drop Two 4 times during the day.  Eye Drop Three 2 times during the day.  Eye Drop Four every half hour while awake.  Use Eye Drop Five before sleeping. 
  4. Regarding Routine Meds – Take routine medications as usual
  5. Regarding Wound Care – Plastic eye shields are to be taped over your eyes anytime you sleep for one week.  Please use the medical tape provided by your physician

CHRONIC CARE COACH USE CASE

Concept:

  • Can be used in healthcare systems where team health coaching has been implemented to extend their reach to those with the highest risk of bad outcomes.  (Some Accountable Care Organizations use such multidisciplinary teams.)
  • To help the most vulnerable Patients manage their Chronic Conditions using Alexa as a Chronic Care coach
  • Patients identified through predictive modeling with approval of managing Physician to work with the Care Team
  • Issue identification & solution in care dimensions of:
    • Medication Adherence
    • Appointment Adherence
    • Self-Management
  • Patients invited to use the skill to serve as a bridge between active Care Coaching & self-care
  • Capability of reaching more patients by Care Team

IN CONCLUSION

These are some use cases that I think would be great opportunities to leverage the power of a voice assistant, such as, Alexa, in the delivery of healthcare. However, their complete implementation would require:

  • Access to EMR/EHR database
  • Development of EMR/EHR pages by vendors
  • Input from relevant practice
  • Implementation by medical practice

So, if you are a clinician or represent an Electronic Health Record vendor who wants to explore any of these, please let me know. I’ll be looking forward to your comments.

For Your Health – Dr. Bob

Here is a link to this presentation:

Alexa_Healthcare_Use_Cases