Healthcare has changed a lot with the introduction of voice digital assistants. While systems that could handle repetitive tasks have been around for a while, it took a lot of work to develop ones that could have conversations and interact with people because human speech is complex.

But things have changed thanks to new technologies like natural language processing and machine learning. These technologies have powered popular personal assistants like Alexa and Siri, and they’ve also made it possible to have digital voice assistants in different industries, including healthcare.

In healthcare, unlike every industry, the challenge was getting access to data.  Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) were not open, there was really no way to access the information they contained. The recent introduction of FHIR, REST APIs, and RPA has changed the status quo for the better.

FHIR is a standard for exchanging healthcare information electronically. It defines a set of resources that represent common clinical and administrative concepts, like patients’ medications and observations. FHIR also provides a way for applications to access and work with these resources over the internet using standard browser operations.

RPA is a newer technology that uses software robots to automate repetitive tasks. These robots mimic humans by clicking, typing, copying, and pasting. RPA can access and work with information just like real people.

So, what can healthcare voice digital assistants do? Because of FHIR and RPA, these assistants can now access and update EMRs using natural language commands. For example, doctors can ask digital voice assistants to show patients’ latest lab results or prescribe medications.

These assistants can also provide helpful information and guidance to patients and caregivers. They can remind patients about taking their medicine or scheduling follow-up appointments using voice interactions.

Moreover, voice digital assistants make healthcare workflows more efficient and reduce errors. During consultations, they can write down what doctors say into the EMR, ensuring the records are accurate. Additionally, these assistants can check patients’ identities and insurance coverage before procedures, making administrative tasks easier. 

Key voice digital assistants in the healthcare sector include First Outcomes, Suki, and Care Angel.

First Outcomes AI is an interactive assistant that connects patients and caregivers. Taking care of administrative tasks, it lets healthcare professionals focus on providing care. It can handle things like prescription refills, payments, billing, and appointment scheduling.

Suki has created a virtual medical assistant that helps doctors work with electronic health records. This tool allows doctors to write notes, enter orders, access information, and share data with other providers using only voice commands.

Care Angel is a virtual nurse assistant using voice, text, and chat to support patients with chronic and acute conditions. By using voice interactions, Care Angel improves patient care and support.

Using FHIR, REST APIs, and RPA, digital voice assistants have brought new possibilities to healthcare. They can change how patients interact with healthcare providers, make administrative processes smoother, and improve healthcare in general. As technology advances, we can expect even more improvements and innovations in voice-driven healthcare solutions.