The conversation around artificial intelligence frequently enough centers on the potential for automation and job displacement, but a more immediate revolution is unfolding in a less-discussed area: the patient intake process.
Currently,many healthcare systems,primary care practices,insurance providers,and community organizations rely on outdated methods for onboarding patients into behavioral health services – think faxed referrals,frustrating phone calls,and cumbersome,unstructured online forms.
Patients, having finaly summoned the courage to seek help, frequently encounter obstacles like unanswered voicemails, extensive wait times, and perplexing eligibility requirements. A meaningful, yet frequently enough unquantified, number of individuals abandon the process altogether before ever receiving care.
While access to mental healthcare remains a critical challenge, with nearly 50% of U.S.
Full Name: Dr. Helena Fischer
Role: Editor, Health
Category: Health
Location: Berlin, Germany
Education: MD, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Experience: 11+ years in medical journalism and internal medicine
Expertise: Public health, infectious diseases, healthcare policy, medical innovation
Awards: European Health Journalism Award 2023
Professional Affiliations: Member, European Association of Science Editors
Languages: German (native), English (fluent), Spanish (conversational)
Bio:
Dr. Helena Fischer is a respected physician and health journalist with over a decade of experience in internal medicine and science communication. She holds an MD from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Dr. Fischer is passionate about public health, medical innovation, and making complex medical topics accessible to all. As Editor of the Health section at World Today Journal, she is dedicated to providing readers with accurate, up-to-date health news and expert analysis.