Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning in Electronic Health Records

Health informatics is the field that leverages technology and data to improve healthcare delivery. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s medical chart that may include everything from diagnoses and lab results to treatment plans and clinicians’ notes. EHRs are a key part of healthcare delivery, and they can be used to help healthcare providers improve patient care, optimize treatment recommendations, and support clinicians in their decisions with data-driven evidence. In this paper, we provide an overview of deep learning and reinforcement learning techniques and explore howthey are being used in real-world healthcare settings, the benefits they offer, and the challenges to their adoption. We also focus on concrete examples that illustrate their impact on patient care and decision-making. The current trajectory- marked by promising pilot projects, increasing investments, and a growing body of validation research- suggests that AI will become an indispensable component of healthcare. With careful stewardship, AI-powered EHR systems could usher in an era of smarter, more proactive, and more personalized healthcare for all.