Industry News: Volume 2, Issue 22

Great Speech Develops Artificial Intelligence Platform to Refine Matching Process Between Patients and Most Qualified Speech Therapist

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Great Speech, a pioneer and leader in virtual speech therapy,today announces patient matching Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to optimize pairing patients with the most qualified speech therapists in our network for a patient’s specific condition. The AI technology considers multiple data points to create the best-indicated therapy/patient care partnership to provide more specialized care, more focused therapy and faster results in a shorter timeframe.

“We take pride in our ability to match each patient to the most qualified therapist with expertise in that specific diagnosis,” says Avivit Ben-Aharon M.S. Ed, M.A. CCC-SLP, founder and clinical director, Great Speech. “Drawing on our extensive network of more than 200 licensed speech therapists in 45 states, our technology identifies the therapist who has relevant specialty training, experience and distinct strengths to provide an optimal patient experience.”

Each speech therapist in the Great Speech network has subspecialty training in particular aspects of a communication disorder. The AI technology platform works much like a primary care provider referring a patient to a specific medical specialist with expertise treating a particular condition.

“AI is a valuable tool we now have to deliver the best care for our patients,” explains Ben-Aharon. “If a Medicare Advantage member with Parkinson’s is learning to strengthen the muscles used for swallowing and speaking, they have a different need than a patient with Alzheimer’s disease who is working to manage memory deficits or teenagers who stutter and are working on improving the ability to express themselves.”

AI is being rapidly adopted by healthcare leaders for efficient diagnosis and safer services. Great Speech patients benefit from more objective assessment and personalized therapy with AI assist. As an early adopter of treatment technology, Great Speech expects that AI will offer significant advantages for patients and help improve outcome in the future.

About Great Speech Inc.
Great Speech Inc. is the pioneer and recognized leader in virtual speech therapy, and since 2014 has delivered convenient, specialized services to clients anytime, anywhere. Its innovative approach leverages technology to match credentialed therapists with children, adults and seniors who need and seek better speech communication. Proud recipient of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification. www.greatspeech.com

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Biden Administration Eyes Shift to Annual COVID-19 Shot

By Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder

usnews.com– The Biden administration on Tuesday signaled that it wants COVID-19 vaccines to become an annual shot much like the flu vaccine, pending a new variant that comes out of left field.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that looking forward with the COVID-19 pandemic in the absence of a dramatically different variant, we likely are moving towards a path with a vaccination cadence similar to that of the annual influenza vaccine with annual, updated COVID-19 shots matched to the currently circulating strains for most of the population,” leading infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said at a press briefing.

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Patient satisfaction surveys fail to track how well hospitals treat people of color

By Rae Ellen Bichell

npr.org – Each day, thousands of patients get a call or letter after being discharged from U.S. hospitals. How did their stay go? How clean and quiet was the room? How often did nurses and doctors treat them with courtesy and respect?

The questions focus on what might be termed the standard customer satisfaction aspects of a medical stay, as hospitals increasingly view patients as consumers who can take their business elsewhere.

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Consumers say they are willing to pay more for healthcare services based on these factors, survey finds

By Dave Muoio

fiercehealthcare.com— Quality of care, care team choice, location and speed all play a role in how much consumers are willing to spend on their healthcare, according to new survey responses from more than 2,000 American adults.

Fifty-seven percent of those polled in mid-March said they would be willing to pay more based on the quality of care they would receive, according to the survey commissioned by revenue cycle and automation vendor AKASA.

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‘It’s Becoming Too Expensive to Live’: Anxious Older Adults Try to Cope With Limited Budgets

By Judith Graham

khn.com– Economic insecurity is upending the lives of millions of older adults as soaring housing costs and inflation diminish the value of fixed incomes.

Across the country, seniors who until recently successfully managed limited budgets are growing more anxious and distressed.

To view the original article in its entirety, click here.

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