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Valley health clinics utilizing artificial intelligence

Valley health clinics utilizing artificial intelligence
Posted at 2:14 PM, Nov 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-29 16:14:11-05

Feeling sick? Your next doctor's visit could soon involve augmented reality and artificial intelligence. 

Akos Med Clinic, using technology developed by AdviNOW Medical, plans to open fifty health centers inside Safeway stores throughout Arizona by June. Patients answer dynamic questions and -- guided by augmented reality -- use medical instruments to collect their own health information and imaging.

That data is analyzed by an artificial intelligence system and sent to a remote doctor, who appears on-screen over video chat and can make a diagnosis in two-minutes, CEO James Bates told ABC15. 

"It makes a very efficient visit both for the physician and the patient," Bates said, adding most patients can be in and out of the office within twenty minutes. 

A medical assistant is available at the offices to assist patients who are concerned or uncomfortable with using the medical tools themselves. 

Bates compared the process to using a self-checkout lane at a grocery store. 

The first time, "It was kind of weird," he said. "The second and third time, if there's anyone in line, you go straight to the self-checkout. [It's] the same for medical visits." 

Bates said student interns from the Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering played a vital role in developing the system. 

The out-of-pocket cost for a clinic visit is $99, and all major insurance providers are accepted. 

Akos held a grand opening event Thursday for a Tempe clinic inside the Safeway store at Rural and Broadway roads. 

Five clinics, along with the company's urgent care center, are already operating in the Valley.