AI Enhances Home Healthcare but Can't Replace Clinicians' Empathy and Expertise, Says Speedoc CEO

Dr. Shravan Verma, CEO and cofounder of Speedoc—a Singapore-based health tech startup—is at the forefront of bringing hospital-grade care into patients' homes. With a background in tertiary hospitals and underserved areas, Dr. Verma envisions a future where AI and human clinicians work together to deliver personalized and efficient care, transforming the home into the new center of healthcare. The Vision for Home Care Dr. Verma believes that access to high-quality healthcare should not be limited by geography or infrastructure. The idea is to leverage AI and digital technology to bridge the gap between medical facilities and patients' homes. He points out that Singapore is particularly well-suited for this transformation due to strong policy support, public trust in digital systems, and a growing acceptance of home-based care. AI in Speedoc's Operations AI is already a crucial part of Speedoc's operations. The company’s command center uses AI to triage patient cases, optimize logistics for dispatching clinicians, and predict potential escalations in patient conditions. For example, AI models continuously monitor data from devices such as pulse oximeters and blood pressure monitors. If vital signs indicate a dangerous trend, clinicians are alerted promptly, often preventing emergency room visits. Dr. Verma emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into home care in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, human clinical expertise. He sees the future of home care as a hybrid model where AI-assisted self-care tools work alongside traditional, human-involved healthcare systems. Transforming Roles, Not Replacing Them While AI can handle many tasks more efficiently, Dr. Verma is clear that it cannot replace the essential elements of human care—empathy, nuanced judgment, and personal interaction. Clinicians’ roles will evolve, becoming more focused on building relationships with patients and making critical decisions. AI can help reduce administrative burdens, streamline documentation, and provide valuable insights, but the final decisions and actions must remain in human hands. For instance, AI might diagnose a heart attack, but it can't guide the immediate steps required, such as rushing the patient to a hospital, ensuring timely stenting, and performing necessary catheterizations. These processes are deeply human-driven and require a clinician's presence to handle the complexities and uncertainties involved. Challenges and Considerations One of the main challenges with AI in healthcare is the risk of confabulation—where AI generates false or misleading information. Dr. Verma stresses the need for robust governance, transparency, and auditability in AI deployments to ensure reliability and safety. Additionally, AI must be contextually aware to fully understand a patient's specific condition, which can be difficult given the limitations in training data. Patients are generally more concerned with the outcomes and convenience of care than the underlying technology. They want to know if their care is faster, safer, and more tailored to their needs. When AI can assist in quick triage or send a nurse with the correct medication at the right time, it builds patient confidence. The key is to make AI transparent, supportive, and always augmentative of the human touch. Future Directions Speedoc plans to advance its AI capabilities to enable predictive care, automate routine follow-ups, and develop an AI copilot for its clinicians. This copilot will aid in making informed decisions, reducing error rates, and improving overall patient outcomes. However, the focus will remain on ensuring that these tools enhance the clinician’s ability to provide personalized and empathetic care. Industry Insights and Company Profile Industry experts agree with Dr. Verma's perspective, noting that AI's role in healthcare is to augment and improve, rather than automate completely. They highlight that while AI has significant potential to revolutionize home care, it must be implemented carefully, with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations and patient safety. Speedoc, founded in 2017, has quickly become a leading player in home healthcare services in Singapore. The company's unique approach combines advanced technology, including AI and telemedicine, with a dedicated team of healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care. Speedoc's ongoing efforts in advancing AI integration reflect a broader trend in the healthcare sector towards leveraging technology to improve accessibility and quality of care while maintaining the human element that patients value.