Telemedicine and artificial intelligence to support self-isolation of COVID-19 patients: Recent updates and challenges

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic and high-risk COVID-19 patients are advised to self-isolate at home. However, patients may not realize that the condition is deteriorating until too late. Objective: This study aims to review various artificial intelligence-based telemedicine research during the COVID-19 outbreak and proposes a framework for developing telemedicine powered by artificial intelligence to monitor progression in COVID-19 patients during isolation at home. It also aims to map challenges using artificial intelligence-based telemedicine in the community. Methods: A systematic review was performed for the related articles published in 2019–2021 and conducted in the PubMed and ScienceDirect database using the keywords “telemedicine,” “artificial intelligence,” and “COVID-19”. The inclusion criteria were full-text articles and original research written in the English language. Results: Thirteen articles were included in this review to describe the current application of artificial intelligence-based telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various current applications have been implemented, such as for early diagnosis and tracing of contact for the users, to monitor symptoms and decision-making treatment, clinical management, and virtual and remote treatment. We also proposed the framework of telemedicine powered by artificial intelligence for support the self-isolation of COVID-19 patients based on the recent update in technology. However, we identified some challenges for using digital health technologies because of the ethical and practical use, the policy and regulation, and device use both for healthcare workers and patients. Conclusion: Artificial intelligence promises to improve the practice of medicine in various ways. However, practical applications still need to be explored, and medical professionals also need to adapt to these advances for better healthcare delivery to the public.