Doctor Michelle Ploughman, a Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation, Neuroplasticity and Brain Recovery at Memorial University of Newfoundland, is at the forefront of utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

She emphasizes that AI significantly enhances the analysis of health data, surpassing human capabilities in identifying complex patterns.

The vast volume of data collected in health studies is too extensive for manual analysis, making AI and machine learning essential tools for effective pattern recognition.

Ploughman's research specifically focuses on stroke and multiple sclerosis, employing an advanced walkway equipped with 10,000 sensors to measure patients' gait and analyze distinct walking patterns.

Her findings indicate that individuals with multiple sclerosis exhibit unique walking patterns compared to healthy individuals, particularly in their foot interactions with pressure sensors.

Through her work, Ploughman is developing and testing new treatments for stroke and multiple sclerosis, utilizing AI to study walking patterns.

Both Ploughman and her colleague, Dr. Christopher Patey, advocate for the broader integration of AI in healthcare, particularly in light of existing human resource challenges in the sector.

Dr. Christopher Patey, an assistant professor at Memorial University, is applying AI in emergency medicine to enhance patient triage and improve efficiency in hospital settings across Newfoundland and Labrador.

He notes that AI is currently being utilized in hospitals to streamline patient assessment processes and enhance overall care efficiency.

Patey highlights that AI can significantly save time in information processing, addressing critical challenges in healthcare resource management.

Ploughman asserts that AI is rapidly becoming a vital tool in research and healthcare globally, advocating for its implementation in health studies.

She believes that the increasing popularity of AI as a research tool will lead to more effective health interventions and outcomes.