The expectations that remote workers have of telemedicine services now go beyond a virtual consultation with doctors and consultants.
These days such workers now also have access to nutritionists and psychiatrists.
But expectations are also changing among workers the world over around their interactions with artificial intelligence (AI).
And a debate is now opening up about whether AI can – or even should – take a greater role in monitoring the mental health of remote workers.
It appears these AI solutions are already here but how quickly and the extent to which they are adopted will depend on a number of different factors including whether employees want a robot to assess their mental health needs at all.
Telemedicine extending beyond doctors and consultants
“There is demand for telemedicine services that go beyond virtual consultations with doctors and consultants,” William Cooper, marketing director at William Russell, tells Health & Protection.
“Our telemedicine service in the UAE, for example, gives you access to psychiatrist and nutritionists, and can organise the online order and delivery of prescriptions.
“It’s more about a complete healthcare service, delivered virtually.”
Role of AI
But telemedicine is not the only area that has the potential to revolutionise the deployment of virtual care as a debate opens up over whether AI could have a greater role to play in supporting workers’ mental health.
The idea was addressed at Health & Protection‘s second annual Health Summit earlier this month.
At the event, employee benefits, wellbeing and reward consultant Steve Herbert told delegates extended use of homeworking can mean firms are not picking up on mental health issues of their workforce at an earlier stage.
Though Herbert added AI can offer a solution in creating opportunities to monitor the mental wellbeing of their workforce.
Emma Wood, director of healthcare at Broadway Insurance, who also spoke at the Health Summit, told Health & Protection she believed Herbert’s suggestion could work for all employers.
“The majority I have spoken with who have employees working from home full time or in a hybrid setting or with employees spread across multiple locations including internationally, this is a big concern for them,” Wood said.
“It is much easier to spot signs of a change in people when you are physically around them daily. The worry is that mental health-related conditions are not being detected as quickly.”
And catching up with Health & Protection after the event, Herbert agreed that AI could equally support the mental health of workers in remote locations.
“You’re further from the mother ship as it were,” Herbert told Health & Protection.
“The challenge will come from how that data is collected and what permissions are required but that said, it’s the obvious way of doing it.
“We’ve got this technology. We’re all carrying around mobile phones stacked with AI already and if we actually harness that, employees can feedback their problems.
“I think it’s a logical way to go and it’s just a case of our industry getting their head around it and actually starting to do this stuff.”
Asking AI
When asked about the subject, Kieran Brown, general manager UK at SIP Medical Family Office, conducted his own exercise by carrying out some internet research and asking via an AI app called Co-Pilot, ‘Can AI help and support remote workers with their mental health?’
This was the reply:
Yes, there are various AI tools that can support remote workers with their mental health. According to a global study (reference Oracle), 82% of people believe that robots can support their mental health better than humans! Some examples of AI tools for remote workers are:
Chatbots:
These are conversational agents that can provide information, guidance, and emotional support to users. Chatbots can also help users access other resources, such as online counseling, wellness apps, or health monitoring tools.
Wellness apps:
These are applications that can help users improve their well-being and resilience through activities such as meditation, mindfulness, exercise, or sleep. Wellness apps can also track users’ progress and provide feedback and encouragement.
Health monitoring tools:
These are devices or software that can measure and analyse users’ physical and mental health indicators, such as heart rate, blood pressure, mood, or stress levels. Health monitoring tools can also alert users to potential risks and suggest interventions or referrals.
AI tools can offer many benefits for remote workers, such as convenience, accessibility, anonymity, and scalability. However, they are not a substitute for professional help and should be used in conjunction with other support systems. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please seek help from a qualified provider.
A useful tool
So the AI clearly thinks it can help but Brown is sceptical over its ability to proactively plan a wellness programme.
“To use the term mental health is so broad sweeping in an area of medicine that cover so many facets,” Brown maintains. “Sure, AI can be a very useful tool if we think generationally of those who will be motivated and keen to engage with such tools and technology.
“Whether a tool or app can be used to plan a proactive wellness programme. Or more interactive gaming tools that are designed to help and support with those struggling with mental health.”
Brown contends AI does not have the answer for individuals really struggling with their mental health.
“AI tools may be designed to ask questions and with the sophistication to help reach a self diagnosis,” Brown continues.
“But when an individual is suffering from a severe depression or other behavioural disorders due to deteriorating mental health, I don’t think there is any other option or advice than to encourage anyone to seek professional medical attention and that starts with your doctor.”
But there is also a debate to be had over AI’s use in supporting workers in remote locations with their mental health, Brown says.
“Some will say the possibility to work remotely and then the possibility to work in the remote location is the ideal tonic for the mental health.
“At the other end of the spectrum there are those socialites who depend on human interaction to keep them sane.
“In a nutshell, 100% AI is already playing a wonderful role is supporting remote workers with their mental health but I suspect it is a generational thing as to who will be motivated by having a robot manage their mental health.
“I would say, it’s not for me but give me another 12 months and I may change my mind. With a great dollop of positivity and motivation surely AI is helping thousands to keep fit, eat well and your PT to help plan your next session.
“Perhaps your PT robot is also much more efficient and reliable than your PT at the local gym?”
Trusting a robot
There is also the macro debate to consider about such technology, Brown says.
“Do you trust your robot more than a human expert and could Big Brother be watching with the data you choose to share? AI is certainly not for everyone. And again those in the most remote locations would argue that nature itself is a better medicine than any AI tool.”
Not getting to the nitty gritty
Nadia Jafar, director at Bluestone of London, told Health & Protection she has concerns about the sophistication of AI currently.
“You still need that human element to watch that individual, look at the body language because the body language actually says a lot more than when you’re writing it down.
“So AI could ask questions to that employee. How are you feeling? How are you finding it? Where are the challenges?
“The employee might just tick, tick, tick. They just want to be able to respond and not necessarily delve into that person and how they are feeling and whether actually there are challenges with their mental health.
“To keep this simple, it may be a start to find out whether that individual might be feeling uncomfortable or having challenges, but AI will not be able to really get into the nitty gritty of it.
“So the answer would be it might be helpful initially but it won’t for a long time. I don’t think it will be sophisticated enough to really get into detail of that individual’s feelings and wants and challenges.”
So ultimately, it appears AI while offering a starting point, it does not currently have all the answers.
“In 2024, I do believe as a nation, if not globally, we’re so much more self aware and when it comes to mental health,” Brown says.
“But if one is suffering from a depression or worries about their child’s development or behavioural disorders, nothing replaces the help and support of talking to your doctor and seeking professional help which for example may well lead to prescribed medication or counselling. AI does not support this.”