Let me be perfectly clear…artificial intelligence (AI) will complement, not replace, human oncology patient navigators. AI tools can oversee routine tasks, such as scheduling appointments, sending reminders, and providing general information on cancer types.
This frees up time for navigators to focus on more complex needs, such as providing emotional support and addressing social determinants of health. It allows them to have conversations and ask about basic care needs as well as life goals in the face of a cancer diagnosis.
The AI algorithms that are developed through a machine learning process that involves learning from data to make predictions or decisions can analyze patient data from sources such as electronic health records and wearables to identify individuals at higher risk of complications, nonadherence, or other challenges. GoMo Health reported how detecting a patient’s concerns early in the care process resulted in avoidance of an emergency department visit or hospital readmission.1
These 2 metrics around Operational Management in a system tie into a more positive patient experience, optimal clinical outcomes, and winning return on investment for the system. The facilitation of secure communication between patients and navigators allows navigators to prioritize patients who need more support and intervene proactively. Prostate and lung cancer programs are using this approach to triage by acuity levels for appropriate patient follow-up.2-4
The role for AI in personalized support and education is endless as AI can analyze patient data to identify individual needs and deliver tailored educational materials, answer patient queries through virtual assistants, and offer personalized health advice.
However, navigators are needed to reinforce this information and provide guidance on applying it to a patient’s specific situation, especially with diagnostic nuances and treatment education.
Ultimately, oncology patient navigation, when strategically integrated with AI, creates a powerful synergy that optimizes cancer care, enhances patient experience, and improves outcomes. Human navigators will remain essential for building trust, providing emotional support, and addressing complex psychosocial needs.
AI has the potential to reduce disparities in cancer care outcomes, especially among those in underserved areas or with limited access to traditional healthcare settings.
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