Hospitals in Beijing are harnessing AI technology to revolutionize pediatric and psychiatric care, enhancing efficiency and accessibility through its use in diagnosis, psychological support, and medical training.
China's leading pediatric hospital has developed an AI model to assist in disease diagnosis and treatment. Patient data is input into the system before consultations, allowing the AI to demonstrate expertise on par with professionals.
Ni Xing, president of the Beijing Children's Hospital under the Capital Medical University, said AI could help bridge critical gaps in remote regions with a shortage of pediatricians.
"The most important thing is that the overall level and number of doctors can meet the needs of the child. How do we solve this problem? In fact, we have been stepping up efforts in pediatrician training," said Ni.
Pediatric expertise demands extensive training, as children often struggle to articulate their symptoms. This AI enables younger doctors to quickly learn from senior peers.
Beyond physical health, China's leading psychiatric hospitals now use AI for psychological support. Its real-time interactions and structured training tools allow doctors to focus on more complex cases.
Qin Mengwen, a psychotherapist at the Clinical Psychological Center of Peking University Sixth Hospital, explained that doctors gather basic patient information before employing AI treatments to ensure better care.
"In psychotherapy, we usually start by talking to patients about their basic situations, so that they feel understood and heard," said Qin.
Yue Jingli, associate researcher of the clinical psychological center, said although doctors are indispensable due to the complex mental conditions of patients, AI plays a supportive role during treatment.
""People's mental health conditions can change rapidly, especially for patients who come to the hospital. Their emotions are not simple, they fluctuate and this can be more complex," said Yue.
AI systems are now also being deployed in communities and organizations to improve access to mental health services.
Beijing hospitals harness AI to enhance pediatric, psychiatric care
