Team 7: Jesse Kouwehoven, Anna Steenbergen, Wesley Tiel & Manuel Rook
The growing administrative workload in healthcare, especially in general practices(GPs), has placed a significant burden on healthcare professionals (Rao et al., 2016). With increasing demands and the rise of patient queries, the need for an innovative solution is more urgent than ever. This is where EllaCare steps in. Designed as an AI-powered healthcare platform, EllaCare provides real-time assistance, easing the strain on healthcare workers while improving patient care.
At the core of EllaCare’s solution is the integration of Generative AI (GenAI). This technology powers a user-friendly chatbot that provides immediate healthcare advice, allowing patients to ask quick, everyday health-related questions. For instance, if patients notice an unusual itch or rash on their arm, they can easily open the app, take a picture of the affected area, and receive a quick assessment. EllaCare analyzes the image and offers healthcare advice, such as recommending a specific cream for treatment. If the AI is uncertain about the diagnosis, it will immediately notify a GP, who can step in to assist. The GP may help the patient through the app’s chat function or schedule an in-person appointment.
Beyond immediate advice, EllaCare also manages prescriptions, schedules appointments, and allows patients to interact through various channels like text, voice memos, and images, providing a seamless and personalized experience. By integrating with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), EllaCare ensures that the advice is tailored to each patient’s medical history, resulting in more accurate and personalized care.
In the Netherlands, administrative workload has been a growing issue for years, contributing to GP burnout and reduced job satisfaction (Schäfer et al., 2020). EllaCare addresses this problem by automating administrative tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on more urgent patient care. By reducing non-patient-facing responsibilities, EllaCare not only alleviates stress on healthcare workers but also improves the overall efficiency of healthcare systems.
EllaCare leverages the Four V’s of Big Data (Volume, Velocity, Variety, and Veracity) to enhance its AI capabilities. By processing large amounts of patient data in real-time, it provides quick, accurate, and personalized healthcare advice. The system handles various data types, from structured demographics to unstructured conversations and multimedia inputs. Ensuring data accuracy (veracity) is crucial, with robust validation ensuring trustworthy interactions. Beyond automation, EllaCare uses Big Data insights to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare operations, significantly reducing administrative workloads for professionals.
Figure 1: Prototype EllaCare
EllaCare is more than just a healthcare assistant; it’s a step towards a more efficient, scalable, and patient-centric healthcare system. With its GenAI-driven technology, EllaCare is set to transform healthcare delivery, making it more accessible and efficient for patients and healthcare providers. EllaCare exemplifies how technology can address pressing challenges in healthcare. By reducing the strain on healthcare workers, improving patient outcomes, and providing data-driven insights, EllaCare will help healthcare professionals focus on what matters: Patient care.
References
Rao, S. K., Kimball, A. B., Lehrhoff, S. R., Hidrue, M. K., Colton, D. G., Ferris, T. G., & Torchiana, D. F. (2016). The Impact of Administrative Burden on Academic Physicians: Results of a Hospital-Wide Physician Survey. Academic Medicine, 92(2), 237–243. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000001461
Schäfer, W. L. A., Van Den Berg, M. J., & Groenewegen, P. P. (2020). The association between the workload of general practitioners and patient experiences with care: results of a cross-sectional study in 33 countries. Human Resources for Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-020-00520-9
