For small to medium-sized healthcare organizations operating with limited resources, the thought of incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) may seem overwhelming. However, AI chatbots and other generative AI—offer accessible entry points. Here are some practical tips for healthcare organizations interested in taking an experimental approach to these AI technologies.

Chatbots

AI chatbots can handle a variety of tasks, from answering frequently asked questions to helping schedule appointments. They can be especially useful for automating repetitive tasks and improving patient engagement.

1. Start Simple

Begin with a basic chatbot that can handle common queries on your website or app. Many platforms offer pre-built healthcare chatbots that require little to no coding.

2. Test and Measure

Deploy the chatbot in a limited setting first, perhaps only on certain pages of your website. Monitor its performance and gather feedback from both staff and patients.

3. Iterate

Based on feedback, make adjustments. Maybe the chatbot needs to handle a broader range of questions, or perhaps it needs to be more user-friendly. The key is to iterate quickly.

4. Compliance Check

Even though it’s an experiment, make sure the chatbot complies with healthcare privacy laws. This is crucial when dealing with patient information.

Content Creation

Generative AI can help create content, whether it’s text for patient information leaflets, email reminders, or even preliminary medical reports.

1. Identify Use Cases

Find a task that involves generating text or content. For instance, you might have a set of patient information leaflets that could be personalized.

2. Use Free Trials

Many generative AI platforms offer free trials. Take advantage of these to see how well the tool can create or modify content for your specific needs.

3. Limit Scope

Don’t aim for a complete overhaul of all your content. Start with one project—like those patient leaflets—and see how well the generative AI performs.

4. Review and Refine

Generative AI is powerful but not perfect. Always have a human review the generated content for accuracy, tone, and appropriateness, especially in a healthcare setting.

General Tips for Both Technologies

1. Involve Your Team

Your staff will be interacting with these tools regularly. Include them in the test phase and gather their feedback for improvements.

2. Stay Informed

Keep an eye on the latest advancements in AI chatbots and generative AI. The technology is constantly evolving, and new features could benefit your organization.

3. Don’t Fear Failure

Not every experiment will be a success, and that’s okay. The goal is to learn what works and what doesn’t, so you can make more informed decisions moving forward.

By taking an experimental approach to AI chatbots and generative AI, small to medium-sized healthcare organizations can dip their toes into the expansive world of AI without requiring a massive investment. This allows for learning, adaptation, and gradual implementation that aligns with both your capabilities and needs.

Remember that working with AI is a skill that needs to be developed over time. So keep at it!