MedLingua: A conceptual framework for a multilingual medical conversational agent

“Have you already spoken to your AI chatbot?” This question might soon be a regular greeting at medical facilities, not just a quirky conversation starter. We've seen considerable improvements in AI chatbot solutions recently, but honestly, they haven’t yet made a significant dent in the healthcare systems I'm familiar with. Why? For starters, I believe patients still prefer the human touch of a real doctor. Additionally, the current ratio of healthcare professionals to patients, though strained, still allows for personal contact at the frontline. However, looking ahead, I'm convinced chatbots will play an indispensable role. A recent publication from a team in Bangladesh caught my eye: MedLingua - a multilingual medical chatbot.

Let’s break down its capabilities:

• Language Detection & Switching: It recognizes and responds in the user's language, crucial for avoiding errors like confusing drug names.
• Voice & Text Input: Offers versatility in how users interact with it.
• Pattern Template Storage: It saves conversation patterns, recommending foods, medicines, or doctors based on identified conditions.
• Scheduling and medicine intake reminders: Increasing therapy adherence.
• User Database Compilation: Gathers and organizes data based on symptoms, treatments, and timelines.

Originally, MedLingua is intended for low- and middle-income countries, aiming to bring healthcare to remote areas with limited infrastructure. But I can totally envision such chatbots becoming an integral part of European healthcare systems too, especially as we shift towards more patient-centric medicine.

What’s your take on this? From a physician's perspective, do you see the upsides of integrating AI chatbots into healthcare? Or are you skeptical, thinking this might be a misguided venture that could drain resources instead of optimizing them?