The proposed chapter delves into the transformative repercussions of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the burgeoning Indian Medical Travel and Tourism Sector. As India emerges as a global hub for medical tourism, the integration of innovative technologies promises to reshape patient experiences and healthcare delivery. The chapter meticulously investigates the expansion of the medical travel sector in India, the role of AI in healthcare, the impact of robotics, and the intersection of these technologies in the context of medical tourism. It not only highlights the positive outcomes and success stories but also addresses the challenges and ethical concerns related to healthcare robots and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the chapter provides a forecast for the future of these technologies in India's wellness sector, offering recommendations for stakeholders to navigate the evolving landscape successfully.
Top1. Introduction
In this era of unmatched technological advancement, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming more and more integrated, revolutionizing several industries (Sharma, Chauhan, & Tyagi, 2023). Of them, the healthcare industry is one that particularly stands out as a field where new advances could transform conventional methods and improve patient care in general (Singh, Sharma, & Bhadula, Automated Deep Learning based Disease Prediction Using Skin Health Records: Issues Challenges and Future Directions, 2022). One area of healthcare that has seen significant transformation is medical tourism, a growing sector that draws patients looking for high-quality, reasonably priced care from all over the world (Pandey, Sharma, & Matta, 2021). This study explores the complex effects of robots and artificial intelligence on the medical tourism market in India, looking at how these technologies may affect healthcare delivery, the economy, and the sector's general environment (Vitthal, Subhash, Sharma, & Ramachandran, 2015).
India has a rich cultural history and is swiftly rising to the top of the global medical tourism rankings. Modern healthcare facilities, highly skilled healthcare professionals, and reasonable prices have made India a popular destination for overseas patients requiring medical care, from intricate surgeries to wellness services (Chen & Decary, 2020). The rising integration of technology and neural networks (or AI) throughout healthcare procedures presents both potential and challenges for India's healthcare sector (Li, Asch, & Shah, 2020) Robotics and computational intelligence have revolutionized the medical industry, affecting not just the experience but also the concept and delivery of healthcare services. With its unparalleled capacity to scrutinize extensive datasets and discern patterns, artificial intelligence presents unparalleled prospects for customized healthcare, precise diagnosis, and optimal treatment planning. Conversely, robots are revolutionizing surgical techniques, increasing accuracy, minimizing invasiveness, and shortening recovery periods (Khedkar, Gandhi, Shinde, & Subramanian, 2020). The decisions made by medical tourists who want to strike a compromise between affordability and high-quality medical care could be influenced by these technological developments, which could raise the standard of healthcare services overall (Wen & Huang, 2022).
This study seeks to cast light on the complex ties present between the application of AI and robotics and the sector of medical tourism in India. We want to offer insights into how new technologies are affecting patient expectations, medical tourism patterns, and the financial aspects of the Indian healthcare industry (Tariq, Gill, & Hussain, 2023) by analyzing the changing landscape (Crooks, Turner, Snyder, Johnston, & Kingsbury, 2011).
1.1. Indian Medical Tourism's Historical Context: A historical understanding of the Indian tourism for medicine business is necessary to fully understand the current situation (De la Hoz-Correa, Muñoz-Leiva, & Bakucz, 2018). Due to its well-known medical facilities, highly qualified medical staff, and reasonably priced treatments, India has seen a consistent influx of medical tourists over the past few decades. A framework to assess the impacts of robots and computational intelligence is provided by the historical backdrop (Reddy, Fox, & Purohit, 2019).
1.2. AI's Ascent in Indian Healthcare: AI's revolutionary introduction into healthcare services has provided answers to enduring problems (Singh, Sharma, & Mohan, Industry 4.0 Internet of Medical Things Enabled Cost Effective Secure Smart Patient Care Medicine Pouch, 2023). AI applications are becoming a more important part of the medical scene, from treatment planning to diagnostic tools. Initiatives like personalized medicine, predictive analytics, and AI-driven diagnostic tools are becoming more popular in India (Sharma & Sharma, 2022). In-depth discussions of AI's specific uses in the Indian healthcare system and an examination of how these developments are influencing medical travel are provided in this section (Diwakar, Singh, & Shankar, 2021).