Webinar and Follow-up Discussion: AI in Rural Healthcare in Maine - Wed, Oct 30 (1-3P):

To:  Maine Rural & IT Healthcare Leaders

In follow up of my earlier note, I wanted to send a reminder that Maine GOPIF & DHHS will be hosting a webinar and follow-on conversation on Wed, Oct 30 (1-3P) on the use of AI technologies in healthcare in Maine, and the potential opportunities for AI to benefit care in Maine’s rural communities. Many of you joined us for initial discussions this summer, and we hope you will join us for this next conversation:

 

When: Wed, Oct 30, 1:00p-3:00p ET

Zoom link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/84780365034?pwd=kVzDkdlbdWQcasdkNxIFFqHzpcOJwB.1

Meeting ID: 847 8036 5034; Passcode: 49668155

 

Overview:  On this call, we will be hearing from Jordan Berg from the National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center. Jordan will be sharing some of his cutting-edge research on how new AI technologies are showing up in healthcare in rural communities across the country. You can read/listen to more about his work on this recent podcast with the Rural Health Information Hub. Lisa and I will also be sharing themes that emerged from conversations this summer with many of you, as well as highlights from other work happening locally and nationally. We plan to use a portion of the time to hear your ideas and discuss potential collaborative opportunities about using AI to improve rural healthcare in Maine.

 

Background

There has been a rapid expansion in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Providers are experimenting with new tools that synthesize patient visits into chart notes, creating a more patient-focused visit and lessening administrative burdens for providers. New diagnostic supports are emerging in radiology, ophthalmology, GI, and other fields. Patients are benefiting from augmented monitoring that can predict health events and prompt interventional care. This recent MaineBiz story highlights some of the activities underway locally. Such health innovations could offer particular benefit to rural communities in Maine and elsewhere.  Healthcare providers in rural communities have different assets and challenges than to peers in more urban areas from where AI technology commonly originates. Despite this, we are not aware of any systematic efforts elsewhere in the country that have specifically been designed to advance applications of AI technologies to improve rural healthcare.

 

We’ll plan to follow up with a calendar invite for this meeting, hope you can make it and look forward to the conversation.  We also encourage you to share this invite with others who may be interested.