AI, Digital Technologies Set to Revolutionize COPD Care, Expert Says

Updated

Caroline Quill, MD, associate professor discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies could revolutionize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis and treatment.  An area with potential for AI use is pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Since PFTs are standardized globally, AI would incorporate subtle diagnostic and defining characteristics of PFTs into a diagnostic algorithm; this patient-driven AI will get smarter over time. 

Several past studies suggest that less than 50% of patients with COPD use their inhalers correctly. Consequently, various digital devices have been made available to help improve inhaler adherence. Most digital inhalers can detect the date and time of actuation, while more advanced ones can detect peak inspiratory flow and share personalized data with health care providers. Therefore, digital inhalers can help clinicians identify early exacerbation signs or symptoms.

Digital technologies offer effective methods to deliver pulmonary rehab to patients with mobility or transportation difficulties. There are various delivery methods: synchronous vs asynchronous, real-time vs recorded, group vs individual, video demonstrated vs fully supervised, and human vs app delivered. Clinicians share reliable online resources with patients to guide them in the right direction.

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