With the exponential developments in technology and AI, we see how industries such as aviation, banking and education have made significant advancements over the last decade due to digital transformation and machine learning.
Healthcare, however, pre-dates the digital era, and is the one industry that has remained behind with the uptake of digitisation, and maybe for good reason.
As AI becomes a household resource, an increasing number of people are resorting to AI as a replacement for face-to-face appointments with a speech and language therapist, either for themselves or their child. This may seem like a quick and easy solution; however it certainly has its drawbacks which must be considered very carefully:
- The information generated by AI depends on the learning from repeated patterns and standardised information, something that is very reliable when it comes to finance for example, however, healthcare data across the world is notoriously non-standardised due to variation amongst different countries and data protection and security policies. Therefore, the information being generated by AI in response to a question may not be accurate, reliable or considered the ‘gold standard’. In comparison, a speech and language therapist remains abreast of the newest and recommended evidence based due to connections with the educational institutions where research is conducted and the obligation to engage in continuous learning and development opportunities on an international level.
- Speech therapy is not “one size fits all”. A Speech and Language Therapist has undergone years of training, clinical experience and has met all licencing standards to equip them with the skills in selecting the most appropriate avenue to reach goals that are individualised to each and every client. No two patients have the same challenge or goals and therefore a Speech Therapist can appreciate the nuance required for complex decision making that best suits your needs
- AI may offer generic ‘guidance’ on topics relating to speech therapy, but it is unable to implement the therapy. A speech therapist works closely alongside their patients and/or parents to provide education and coaching on ways to maximise improvements both within the sessions and how to continue supporting this in the home.
- A speech and language therapist can offer empathy and human emotion relating to your care. A speech therapist meticulously selects therapy targets that are fun, personally motivating and specific unlike AI. We can identify the complex interconnection between our body and mind and how challenges can impact our patients on an emotional level.
- A speech and Language Therapist is familiar with the roles of their multi-disciplinary colleagues. They can identify when their patient presents with a need that is outside of the remit of a Speech and Language Therapist and can refer them appropriately. AI however will not have this eye for detail, and the opportunity to engage with another specialist may be missed.
- Finally, all healthcare information is sensitive and personal. We know that all interactions with speech therapists and clinicians are confidential, secure and bound by code of ethics. Personal information shared with AI is not secure or protected and is putting your personal information at risk.
All of this is not to say that there is no role for technology or AI in healthcare. There are incredible ways and means in which technology can greatly improve the experience and outcomes of both clinicians and patients.
The best use of technology in the healthcare industry is in developing ways that enable clinicians to complete their indirect or “non patient- facing” duties in a more efficient manner. For example being able to complete a standardised assessment on an ipad that can automatically score the assessment and interpret results, generating paper-based therapy materials that enable the Speech therapist to target particular needs, using intuitive documentation platforms to minimise the amount of time spent writing notes; each of these would provide the clinician with more time to spend with their patients. So it is clear to see that technology can certainly be embraced more by healthcare in specific ways, but it cannot replace the crucial role of a speech and language therapist.
