Abstract
The technical-scientific area of neurophysiology has seen significant advancements in recent years, with the introduction of new technologies aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment, and management of neurological conditions. However, these advancements resulted in significant repercussions in terms of specificity and sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, and prognosis in more specific situations, particularly in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine. In this chapter, the authors aim to explore the current state of neurophysiology and examine the role of AI and telemedicine in addressing the challenges faced by this field. The authors will delve into the potential benefits and limitations of these technologies and their impact on patient outcomes, healthcare delivery, and the future of neurophysiology. The chapter's goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and potentialities of AI and telemedicine in neurophysiology, highlighting their significance in advancing the field and improving patient care.
TopMain Focus Of The Chapter
The focus of this new line of action is therefore a healthcare technology centered on the patient, with the promotion of the quality and efficiency of service provision, guarantee of minimum useful time consumption in safety and involvement of the patient and the multidisciplinary team throughout the process, whenever possible and necessary.
In this chapter, we will not address all specialties but specifically the following:
- a)
Electroencephalography (EEG), as it is the basis of neurophysiology, but contextualized in the intensive care units.
- b)
Sleep studies with significant evolution in this century.
- c)
Invasive areas that have emerged in the last years (e.g., Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring)
- d)
Functional Urology because we have two very useful remote monitoring mechanisms, ambulatory uroflowmetry, and automatic digital voiding diaries.
TopHealth Technologies And Artificial Intelligence
Nowadays, AI accompanies us in most of our daily actions, from a simple application that helps us anticipate traffic in real-time and predict our estimated time of arrival to a smart appliance that reduces the family and personal workload. These technological advancements are also becoming prevalent in health education (Almeida, 2023; Howard, 2023; Miranda & Tolentino, 2023; Tomé & Coelho, 2023). Inevitably, this dissemination of AI is occurring in various dimensions (e.g., Barua et al., 2023; Manuel B. Garcia et al., 2021), including the health sphere (e.g., Mishra et al., 2023; Solanki et al., 2023). One of the focuses of attention will be to understand the challenges and problems created by AI in the health area.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Telehealth: It refers to the use of digital technologies to deliver health-related services and information remotely.
Electroencephalogram: A test that measures and records the electrical activity of the brain. It is a non-invasive procedure that involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect the electrical signals produced by the brain.
Neurophysiology: A subfield of neuroscience that focuses on the function of the nervous system, including the electrical and chemical processes that underlie the communication between neurons and the generation of behavior.
Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring: A medical technique used during surgical procedures to monitor the function of the nervous system and to help prevent injury to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Sleep Medicine: A medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.
Urodynamic: A diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function of the urinary system, including the bladder and urethra.