Allon Bloch, Co-founder and CEO of K Health, discusses using AI to improve the doctor-patient experience. Topics include the development of a predictive engine, online access to healthcare, challenges and advantages of online systems, integration of a language model for patient engagement, and insights in the used car business.
K Health uses AI-based patient interface to make the diagnostic process more efficient and personalized.
K Health leveraged a comprehensive dataset to build a predictive engine for diagnosing various medical conditions.
Deep dives
Using AI to Improve the Doctor-Patient Experience
K Health, a company founded by serial entrepreneur Alon Block, is leveraging data and technology to enhance the experience of going to the doctor. By creating an AI-based patient interface, K Health aims to make the diagnostic process more efficient and personalized. Users can engage with the system by answering specific questions about their symptoms, and the AI algorithm predicts a differential diagnosis based on the collected data. While K Health does not provide a definitive diagnosis, it offers users insights into the most likely conditions based on statistical analysis. The company also employs its own network of doctors who can provide medical advice and prescribe medications through the platform.
Accessing a Wealth of Data for Healthcare Innovation
To develop their AI-based system, K Health gained access to a large and comprehensive dataset from an Israeli HMO called Maccabi. This dataset included anonymized medical records of over 2 million patients spanning two decades. With over 400 million medical charts, a billion labs, half a billion prescriptions, and extensive hospitalization records, K Health utilized this data to build a predictive engine for diagnosing various medical conditions. The dataset allowed K Health to derive insights and develop statistical models to aid in the diagnostic process.
Advantages and Limitations of K Health's Approach
K Health's AI-based system offers several advantages over traditional doctor visits. Users have access to high-quality medical information and can receive personalized recommendations without leaving their homes. Around 92% of cases can be resolved without the need for in-person visits. However, K Health acknowledges that there are still limitations to their system. Cases involving trauma, orthopedic conditions, or situations that require physical examination may still require in-person interactions. K Health aims to continuously improve its platform by integrating large language models to allow for more open-ended conversations while maintaining the reliability and accuracy of medical advice.
Expanding Partnerships and Future Goals
K Health operates through direct-to-consumer relationships, partnering with payers (insurance companies), and collaborating with large health system providers like Cedar Sinai. They refer patients to in-person doctors approximately 8% of the time. K Health's growth plans include expanding its partnerships with health systems and seeing profitability in the second half of the next year. The company aims to revolutionize care delivery by providing accessible, data-driven, and tailored healthcare solutions that focus on preventive care and chronic disease management.
Allon Bloch is the co-founder and CEO of K Health. Allon’s problem is this: Can you use AI to make seeing a doctor easier and more helpful?
Today, thousands of patients a month are treated through K Health. The company has an AI-based patient interface and it employs about 150 doctors. And K Health has plans to expand beyond primary care -- and they just raised another 50 million dollars to help them get there.