Insights
Encouraging Healthcare Professionals in Patient Education
By Daleep Manhas, April 2025
In today’s fast-changing world, the integration of computers and artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is revolutionising how doctors and nurses work. Just as they attend Continuing Medical Education (CME) to stay updated, healthcare professionals (HCPs) now need Continuing Computer Medical Education (CCME) to master these new tools. This shift is particularly noticeable in the United States and is starting to take hold in India, presenting exciting opportunities to enhance patient care.
The use of the internet in American healthcare has soared, particularly with the growth of telehealth. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care usage has jumped 38 times higher than before, showing a big move toward online services. By 2019, half of US medical practices provided online features like booking appointments, refilling prescriptions, and viewing test results. [1]
Nearly 90% of healthcare providers now offer patient portals, allowing easy access to personal health information. These advancements highlight how the internet enhances care and accessibility, a trend supported by studies from credible sources. [2]
In India, specific data on AI and internet use in healthcare is limited, but the potential is enormous. In January 2023, India had 692 million internet users, with a penetration rate of 48.7%. By the end of 2024, this is projected to exceed 52%, meaning over half of India’s 1.4 billion people will be online, ranking India second globally in active users. This digital boom opens doors for healthcare transformation, especially given challenges like a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1,596 and shortages in rural areas.
AI could address these issues by improving access, affordability, and quality of care, particularly in underserved regions. About 50% of Indian healthcare professionals with AI experience strongly support its use in clinical and administrative tasks.
AI tools, such as digital twin models and AI-powered virtual assistants, help doctors test treatments, answer patient queries, and reduce workloads. Chatbots and algorithms offer personalised recommendations based on health history, while AI speeds up image analysis for early disease detection.
AI also revolutionises medical writing, enhancing document creation and research, which supports better treatment protocols. However, this digital shift requires HCPs to guide patients step-by-step, ensuring they understand and trust these tools. By doing so, they can improve visit efficiency, provide tailored health tips, and reduce misunderstandings in care management.
Challenges and Opportunities
India faces hurdles like healthcare inequity and a lack of trained professionals, but AI offers solutions. It enables early diagnosis, personalised care, and broader reach, as noted in recent Economic Times reports. In the US, conventions highlight AI’s future, while in India, its adoption is steadily growing. HCPs must embrace this change, educating patients to bridge the gap between technology and trust.
To sum up, the rise of internet and AI in healthcare demands that HCPs evolve. Through CCME and patient education, they can lead this digital revolution, improving outcomes and accessibility, especially in India’s vast and diverse landscape. This is not just a technological shift but a human one, where compassion meets innovation.
