CarePoint: Community AI Consult
CarePoint is a communal AI health consult deviced design to be placed in a high traffic public building. This is based off the Artificial Intelligence in Rural Healthcare Delivery: Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Equity through Innovation article that highlights how AI can be used to advance rural healthcare. Referencing this article and some of my primary research, I've learn that AI is a common solution to healthcare access but not all rural residents have access to internet, whether it's lack of service or devices. CarePoint is designed to target this barrier while applying this common solution. Creating a device that can be shared eliminates an individuals need for person service while also including AI assistance.
Depending on the patient’s needs, CarePoint guides them through a series of simple questions to better understand their situation and determine the appropriate next step. Rather than providing physical care or replacing a healthcare professional, CarePoint serves as an accessible starting point for people who may be unsure whether they need to visit a hospital or seek additional care. By providing guidance and connecting users to the appropriate resources, CarePoint could help rural residents make more informed decisions while potentially saving unnecessary time, travel, and healthcare costs.
A limitation of CarePoint is that it cannot replace the knowledge and judgment of a healthcare professional. The system relies on users accurately describing their symptoms and answering questions, which could lead to incomplete or inaccurate guidance. It would also require reliable internet access to connect users with healthcare professionals, which may be difficult in some rural communities. Additionally, people may be hesitant to trust an AI system with their health information or may not have the technology skills needed to use it comfortably.
Reference
Balakrishnan, K., Velusamy, D., Hinkle, H. E., Li, Z., Ramasamy, K., Khan, H., Ramaswamy, S., & Shah, P. M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in rural healthcare delivery: Bridging gaps and enhancing equity through innovation. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.11738
