09 March 2023
An updated AI symptom checker and developer API mean shorter assessment time, improved accuracy and flexible integration options — plus, a new user survey gives consumer insights about using AI
Healthily is the creator of an AI platform that’s transforming healthcare. With its cutting-edge technology, Healthily seamlessly blends symptom checking, search capabilities, and medically verified content, delivering the most advanced solution to healthcare consumers seeking answers and medical organizations seeking to manage patient demand with unmatched efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Healthily has refined its B2B API offering with version 4 updates, as well as launching V3 of its AI Smart Symptom Checker (SSC).
At the same time, the company has been talking directly to its primary consumer audience – women aged 25-55 in the US and UK – and has shared some revealing insights into how women use AI and symptom checkers to manage their health.
“With a substantially enhanced symptom model, V3 of our AI SSC allows for more detailed medical data and offers users a more logically structured consultation with an improved user interface (UI),” explains Gareth Thomas, Healthily Chief Technology Officer.
The Smart Symptom Checker from Healthily matches not only the needs of consumers – who confirmed in the survey that they’d use a symptom checker to save time and money (31.6% said they’d use it if it saved them money, rising to 43.5% in the US) – but also healthcare systems and insurers needing to reduce the burden on their teams.
“Assessment time using the AI symptom checker is reduced, saving businesses such as insurers and telemedicine companies money and time,” explains Emma Dalzell, Healthily Head of B2B. “It can also increase engagement on retailers’ sites, with an average dwell time of 2.5 minutes per user seen.”
The Healthily API was launched in 2022, making it easy for developers to integrate its medically verified SSC into their workflow, app or website.
“In version 4, we’ve developed a new customer journey for our users,” says Dalzell. “There are 3 core workflow principles of our SSC: assess, educate and convert.”
But what does this mean?
“We assist by answering questions and evaluating symptoms using AI,” says Dalzell. “We then combine the personalized assessment recommendations with medically verified information to empower our customers. And finally, we convert, with ‘high intent customers’ being given links to health products, health services (health checks, blood tests, travel clinics etc), telemedicine, booking systems for GPs, specialists, and comprehensive, clear and medically verified health content.”
With the storm around Chat GPT, trust in AI has been a talking point. Healthily confidently points out that having one medically verified data set allows users to trust its AI. The SSC gives users guidance based on data that’s been inputted into the software by Healthily doctors.
“The data we have has been created by our doctors over 7 years,” explains Thomas. “We believe this makes our product trustworthy, and one of the most comprehensive and accurate in the market.
“And as our survey shows, more people are putting their trust in AI symptom checkers to help guide and navigate their health decisions and choices.”
Clear, safe and accurate information is also important for users, according to the survey. More than a third of respondents (35%) said they would need to be sure a symptom checker was accurate in order to feel confident about regularly using it.
It seems women – often the gatekeepers of health – are becoming ‘tech literate’, and as part of their digital repertoire they’re using technology to help them navigate the healthcare system more efficiently.
Half of the women stated they use a symptom checker to help them fact-find and get the information they need before they visit the doctor or pharmacist.
“AI has recently had bad press, but when used with the backing of medical expertise, it can help society and our healthcare system,” says Dalzell. “And, ultimately, businesses, many of whom are aligned with a belief that we should work with purpose.”
“If AI can help look after the easy cases, or just automate some processes that saves time for healthcare professionals, the amount of money saved is significant,” adds Dr Andras Meczner, Healthily VP Medical and Clinical Safety Officer.
“We should embrace technology and not feel threatened. With people living longer, and our stress-ridden, desk-bound lifestyles demanding more from the health service, time-saving help and support should be welcomed.”
For more information or an interview with Professor Baker, contact Mars Webb at mars@marswebbpr.co.uk or Fiona Bugler at the Healthily Press Office at press@your.md.
Survey results from Attest