Reimagining Rural Healthcare Ecosystems in the Age of AI and Other Enabling Technologies

This paper is a proposal for reimagining a rural healthcare ecosystem as an integral part of a connected network of regional and national healthcare ecosystems. An analogy for such a system is the telecommunications ecosystem, which in addition to being a network of networks, also incorporates evolutions along with evolving protocols and regulations, but keeping the customer at the center. In the United States, over 60 million Americans rely on local healthcare facilities. There are several challenges facing the rural healthcare systems disrupting continuity, increased costs and additional toll on physical and emotional wellbeing. Emphasis is made on the modern technologies, especially AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoMT (Internet of Medical Things). Several medical innovations are discussed along with an international perspective. Specific issues with broadband connectivity, AI implementations and the associate security risks, and suggestions towards mitigating those risks are also discussed. We close with a potential approach towards establishing a viable healthcare ecosystem.