Nib’s ‘tech triage’ is making waves
Designed to reduce burden on the healthcare system while also helping New Zealanders to navigate its processes, an AI-powered symptom checker is now available to nib policy holders.
While it may sound like a fearful case of Artificial Intelligence taking our jobs, this initiative is actually in line with what AI is designed for: helping humans navigate the admin of everyday life so highly skilled workers can focus on what they do best.
Developed as an app by digital health company Infermedica, the symptom checker is already in use in over 30 countries, with more than 17 million users to date. It works by asking users to enter their symptoms and then providing information on possible conditions and care recommendations. Unlike “Dr Google”, these recommendations are consistently verified by a team of medical experts, who maintain the app.
Recommendations may span from booking a GP appointment to making a speedy trip to the nearest Emergency Department. The app may also suggest the user undertakes self-care at home and monitors their symptoms for any change.
By virtually triaging patients in this way, it is hoped the technology will reduce wait times in New Zealand’s Emergency Departments – and help with overloaded GP clinics. At the same time, the app should assist with getting those with critical conditions the help they need, and quickly.
After the app was released in Australia in February, data has since shown that 63.5% of users were referred to a GP, 21.5% told to monitor their systems from home, and 15% sent to the ED with urgent cases.
For any parent or carer who has been left wondering if they were doing the right thing with a poorly child or elderly person, this could be just the virtual helper they need for peace of mind.
