"Shaping the Future of Healthcare: A Deep Dive into Intelligent Automation and Robotic Process Automation"

In your daily life, have you ever found yourself wishing for an extra pair of hands to complete daunting tasks, preferably a pair that won't get tired or make human errors? If so, you are picturing an age where intelligent automation (IA) and robotic process automation (RPA) govern businesses and industries, such as healthcare. This blog post unravels the intriguing evolution of automation, dives into its application in the healthcare industry and explores the future potential of this buzzing technology. So, what exactly are RPA and IA? In essence, RPA involves programming software ‘robots’ to perform repetitive, laborious tasks, thus freeing up human time for more complex endeavors. While sometimes used interchangeably, IA is an umbrella term that includes RPA, but it also incorporates artificial intelligence capabilities like machine learning and natural language processing to drive more complicated tasks and decision-making processes. Practically speaking, RPA and IA have been making splashes of late in various industries. One such industry, where the impact is substantial, is in healthcare. Automation in healthcare had its early start with simpler tasks such as scheduling and billing but is now moonshotting towards clinical applications. One such instance is the path-breaking Intelligent Automation as a Service (IAaaS) by Automation Anywhere, which simplifies access to automation services, dramatically cutting wait times in emergency departments. The implications of these developing technologies are sweeping, but fascinating. A report by Deloitte stipulates that the "IA industry is expected to reach $232 billion by 2025" (Deloitte, 2021). Certainly, the potential benefits of IoT and AI in healthcare are remarkable, ranging from improved patient outcomes, optimal resource utilization, to eliminating human error. Nevertheless, our enthusiasm should not blind us to certain challenges. For one, systems implementation and employee training can pose significant hurdles. Then there's ethical concerns around data privacy and job displacement for workers. Yet, with a careful, ethical approach, these hurdles appear surmountable. Because after all, we humans do design these machines. Moving forwards, the future of IA and RPA holds immense promise. Visions of automated surgeries and AI-assisted diagnosis no longer belong to the realm of science fiction. McKinsey reports that "automation could save the healthcare sector between $350 billion to $410 billion annually" (Mckinsey, 2021), underscoring the potential profit gains along with the health benefits. In conclusion, as we stand on the brink of this technological revolution, it's hard not to marvel at the world IA, RPA and IAaaS are helping forge. A world of efficiency, where machines ceaselessly work towards ensuring a higher standard of care and better outcomes for all. Surely, such a world is worth imagining, if not tirelessly working towards? As we chart this grand transformation, what are your thoughts? Do you see IA and RPA as calling for celebrations, or possible notes of caution? References: Deloitte. (2021). The intelligent automation revolution report. Deloitte Insights. Mckinsey. (2021). Automation in healthcare: An unstoppable force. Mckinsey & Company.