algorithms
Editorial
Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for Healthcare
Dmytro Chumachenko 1,2, *
Citation: Chumachenko, D.; Yakovlev,
S. Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
for Healthcare. Algorithms 2024, 17,
105. https://doi.org/10.3390/
a17030105
Received: 26 February 2024
Accepted: 27 February 2024
Published: 28 February 2024
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
Algorithms 2024, 17, 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/a17030105
and Sergiy Yakovlev 1,3
1 Department of Mathematical Modelling and Artificial Intelligence, National Aerospace University “Kharkiv
Aviation Institute”, 61070 Kharkiv, Ukraine; svsyak7@gmail.com
2 Ubiquitous Health Technology Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
3 Institute of Information Technology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
* Correspondence: dichumachenko@gmail.com
In an era where technological advancements are rapidly transforming industries,
healthcare is the primary beneficiary of such progress. In particular, artificial intelligence
(AI) has emerged as a pivotal force that is ushering in a new age of medical care, research,
and administration. This technological revolution promises to enhance the quality, acces-
sibility, and efficiency of healthcare services, making personalized and advanced care a
reality for patients around the globe.
In the wake of these advancements, integrating AI into healthcare systems is no
longer a futuristic concept but a present reality, reshaping the landscape of medical care,
research, and operations. The significance of AI in healthcare is underscored by its ability
to transform traditional practices into more efficient, accurate, and personalized healthcare
solutions [1]. AI algorithms are pivotal in this transformation, introducing innovative
approaches to address complex challenges plaguing the healthcare sector [2].
The role of AI in healthcare is becoming increasingly significant, marking a major shift
towards more precise, streamlined, and improved medical care. The importance of AI algo-
rithms in this field is clear, as they introduce new ways to tackle longstanding challenges.
AI’s ability to quickly and accurately process large volumes of data is a cornerstone of the
sector’s transformation, enabling healthcare providers to offer more accurate diagnoses,
predict outcomes more effectively, and customize treatments to individual patient needs,
moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more personalized care strategy [3].
AI’s impact extends to the operational side of healthcare, helping to manage systems
more efficiently, cut costs, and enhance the quality of care. For example, AI-powered
systems can automate routine tasks, allowing medical professionals to concentrate more
on direct patient care [4]. These systems can also help predict patient admissions, manage
resources more effectively, and improve patient flow within hospitals, boosting the overall
efficiency of healthcare services [5].
However, adopting AI in healthcare comes with challenges, including concerns about
data privacy, potential biases in AI algorithms, and the need for clear explanations of how
AI makes decisions [6]. Addressing these issues requires a collaborative effort from various
stakeholders, including those who make policy decisions, healthcare providers, patients,
and technology developers, to ensure that AI is used ethically and contributes positively to
the field [7].
Beyond operational efficiencies and patient care, AI’s role in healthcare extends to
medical research, where it has the potential to accelerate discoveries and the development
of new treatments [8]. By analyzing vast datasets beyond human capability, AI algorithms
can identify patterns and correlations that might remain undiscovered through traditional
research methods [9]. This capacity speeds up research processes and opens up new
avenues for understanding complex diseases and developing targeted therapies.
Moreover, AI’s contribution to preventive medicine and public health is noteworthy.
Predictive analytics can identify at-risk populations for various diseases, enabling early
intervention strategies that can significantly reduce the burden of diseases on communities
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/algorithms
Algorithms 2024, 17, 105 2 of 6

and healthcare systems [10]. AI-driven health monitoring tools and wearable technologies
are becoming more sophisticated, offering real-time insights into individual health status
and predicting potential health issues before they become serious.
Integrating AI into healthcare also raises important questions about the future role of
healthcare professionals. While AI can augment medical staff’s capabilities, professionals
need to adapt to new technologies, requiring ongoing education and training in digital
health technologies [11]. The human element remains irreplaceable in healthcare, and AI
should be seen as a tool to enhance, not replace, the expertise and compassionate care
provided by human professionals.
As we move forward, AI’s ethical implications and societal impact on healthcare
must be carefully considered. The development and implementation of AI technologies
should be guided by fairness, transparency, and accountability principles, ensuring that
these innovations benefit all segments of society equitably [12]. Engaging in a continuous
dialogue among technologists, healthcare professionals, ethicists, and the public is essential
to navigating the complexities and realizing AI’s full potential to improve human health.
AI algorithms are crucial in advancing healthcare, offering benefits in patient care,
operational efficiency, and medical research. As this area continues to grow, it is crucial to
tackle the ethical and practical challenges that come with it.
This Special Issue aims to educate the community about unique and new research
on applying artificial intelligence methods and tools to various aspects of healthcare and
medical research.
The Special Issue includes original theoretical and empirical studies and reviews in
machine learning, data mining, modeling, information technologies, and artificial intel-
ligence in the healthcare context. We received 24 submissions, 9 of which, after a careful
review process, were accepted for publication in this Special Issue.
The paper “Pose-Based Gait Analysis for Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease” explores
the application of markerless motion capture technology, explicitly utilizing the AlphaPose
system, for the early detection of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) through gait analysis. The study
is grounded in the premise that gait characteristics can provide critical insights into early
PD symptoms. The methodology employs human pose estimation from video recordings
to extract relevant gait features without physical markers, highlighting a non-invasive
approach to diagnosing neurological conditions. The research identifies five key gait
features indicative of PD, leveraging machine learning algorithms to analyze these features
across different video views for robust PD detection.
The results demonstrate the method’s effectiveness in distinguishing PD patients from
healthy controls with high accuracy, precision, and recall levels, underscoring the potential
of computer vision and artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics. The study concludes
that markerless motion capture and pose estimation technologies offer a promising direction
for the early diagnosis of PD, suggesting a cost-effective, accessible approach to identifying
and monitoring neurological conditions. This research contributes to the growing body
of work on non-invasive diagnostic tools, opening avenues for further exploration and
development in digital health and telemedicine.
The authors of the paper “Transfer Learning Approach for Human Activity Recog-
nition Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform” present a novel sensor-based Human
Activity Recognition (HAR) approach utilizing a pre-trained deep learning model based
on Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT)-generated scalograms. The authors explore the
impact of different CWT configurations on the performance of popular Convolutional Neu-
ral Network (CNN) architectures. After evaluating nine CNN architectures across various
configurations, the study identifies the DenseNet121 architecture combined with Morlet
wavelet and a scale value range of 0 to 256 as the optimal setup. This combination achieved
a classification accuracy and F1 score of 97.48% and 97.52%, respectively, on the KU-HAR
dataset, surpassing existing state-of-the-art models. The model’s efficacy was further vali-
dated on the UCI-HAPT dataset, where it demonstrated enhanced performance, especially
when employing layer-freezing techniques. This research underscores the potential of
Algorithms 2024, 17, 105 3 of 6

transfer learning and CWT-based scalograms in improving HAR classification accuracy,

particularly on small datasets, while also highlighting considerations for computational
resources and potential limitations on larger datasets.
The study “Effective Heart Disease Prediction Using Machine Learning Techniques”
investigates heart disease prediction using machine learning techniques, employing a
k-mode clustering algorithm and models such as Random Forest, Decision Tree, Multilayer
Perceptron, and XGBoost on a dataset of 70,000 instances. The methodology involved
preprocessing the data, including feature selection and reduction, and splitting based on
gender to account for distinct disease manifestations. The Multilayer Perceptron model
achieved the highest accuracy of 87.28% after hyperparameter tuning. This research
underscores the potential of machine learning in developing targeted diagnostic strategies
for heart disease, suggesting further exploration to enhance model generalizability and
address limitations such as dataset specificity and variable comprehensiveness.
The paper “Towards a Flexible Assessment of Compliance with Clinical Protocols
Using Fuzzy Aggregation Techniques” introduces innovative metrics for assessing compli-
ance with clinical protocols through fuzzy aggregation methods, particularly the Ordered
Weighted Averaging operator and the Sugeno integral. These metrics consider the degree of
compliance per activity, patient compliance, and the criticality of activities within healthcare
settings. By applying these measures to case studies on glucose management and weaning
protocols in Intensive Care Units, the research demonstrates their potential to provide more
nuanced insights into protocol adherence. The findings suggest that these new methods can
offer a comprehensive view of compliance, accommodating the variability and complexity
of clinical practice and thus aiding in evaluating and improving healthcare processes.
The authors of “An Efficient GNSS Coordinate Recognition Algorithm for Epidemic
Management” delve into an innovative GNSS coordinate recognition algorithm to enhance
epidemic management capabilities. This advanced approach significantly optimizes the
identification process of targets within a predefined area, which is crucial for effective
monitoring and control during health crises. Traditional methods, characterized by their
dependence on extensive point-in-polygon computations, often lead to inefficiencies in
tracking the movement of individuals or objects of interest. The proposed algorithm ad-
dresses these challenges by introducing a more streamlined and computationally efficient
method. The research showcases the algorithm’s robustness in spatial data management
through detailed simulations, highlighting its applicability in various epidemic scenarios.
The study’s findings mark a significant contribution to computational geometry and offer
practical implications for public health, suggesting a scalable and adaptable solution for
epidemic surveillance and response efforts. This work paves the way for future advance-
ments in technology-driven health crisis management, emphasizing the importance of
innovative approaches in addressing the dynamic challenges of epidemic control.
The paper “Time-Efficient Identification Procedure for Neurological Complications
of Rescue Patients in an Emergency Scenario Using Hardware-Accelerated Artificial Intel-
ligence Models” introduces a novel solution for rapidly identifying neurological compli-
cations in emergency rescue scenarios. Utilizing data from over 200,000 rescue cases, the
study employs artificial intelligence models to analyze and extract meaningful information
from raw rescue data. The paper discusses the development of multiple AI models, lever-
aging machine learning algorithms such as SVM, Random Forest, KNN, XGBoost, Logistic
Regression, Naive Bayes, and Artificial Neural Networks to facilitate the quick identifica-
tion of neurological complications. It highlights integrating these models into hardware,
specifically FPGA, to achieve rapid diagnostic results essential in rescue missions. The
research demonstrates significant advancements in emergency medical response, offering a
practical approach to addressing the challenges of diagnosing neurological complications
in critical, time-sensitive situations.
The paper “ENightTrack: Restraint-Free Depth-Camera-Based Surveillance and Alarm
System for Fall Prevention Using Deep Learning Tracking” introduces “eNightTrack,” a non-
contact, depth-camera-based surveillance and alarm system designed for fall prevention
Algorithms 2024, 17, 105 4 of 6

in healthcare settings. Leveraging deep learning for tracking patient movements, the
system aims to mitigate fall risks without physical or chemical restraints, which can have
negative side effects. The methodology encompasses data collection through role-play
scenarios, instance segmentation using a customized YOLOv8 model, multi-object tracking
techniques, and an innovative alarm algorithm. The system was tested across 20 scenarios
with 307 video fragments, demonstrating high sensitivity and robustness against potential
disturbances such as medical staff presence and varying bed heights.
The results underscore the system’s effectiveness in fall risk detection, with a sensitivity
of 96.8% and only five missed warnings out of 154 cases. This indicates a significant
advancement in using deep learning for patient monitoring, with potential applications
extending beyond fall prevention. The study represents a crucial step towards developing
more ethical and practical patient monitoring systems in healthcare environments.
The study “A Novel Deep Learning Segmentation and Classification Framework for
Leukemia Diagnosis” presents a novel deep learning framework for diagnosing leukemia,
highlighting its critical importance due to the disease’s severity and the necessity for
early detection. Utilizing advanced segmentation and classification techniques within a
deep learning architecture, the study introduces a U-Net model for effective leukemia cell
detection and categorization. The methodology involves extensive testing across multiple
datasets, achieving notable accuracy in segmentation and classification. The research
underscores the framework’s superior performance over existing methods, offering a
significant tool for healthcare professionals in diagnosing leukemia. The paper contributes
substantially to the field by combining deep learning innovations with practical clinical
needs, marking a step forward in automated leukemia detection.
The paper “Assessing the Impact of Patient Characteristics on Genetic Clinical Path-
ways: A Regression Approach” addresses the variability in treatment responses to high-risk
pregnancies in genetic services, focusing on the influence of patient characteristics on
clinical pathways. The study employs a retrospective data analysis from three clinical
genetics and laboratory units in Italy. It uses statistical modeling to understand how pa-
tient demographics affect the clinical pathway and its duration. This approach identifies
significant variability in treatments, attributing it to clinical needs and individual patient
characteristics. The results highlight the critical role of patient characteristics in determining
the clinical pathway length, suggesting that these factors should be considered alongside
clinical information to optimize care pathways and resource use. The paper concludes that
understanding the impact of patient characteristics on clinical pathways is essential for
improving the efficiency and equity of genetic services. The research contributes to the field
by providing a framework for analyzing and enhancing the design of clinical pathways in
genetic services, with implications for personalized patient care and resource allocation.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, D.C. and S.Y.; methodology, D.C. and S.Y.; validation,
D.C. and S.Y.; formal analysis, D.C. and S.Y.; resources, D.C. and S.Y.; writing—original draft
preparation, D.C. and S.Y.; writing—review and editing, D.C. and S.Y.; supervision, D.C. and S.Y.;
project administration, D.C. and S.Y. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of
the manuscript.
Acknowledgments: The editors of this Special Issue are sincerely grateful to the Algorithms jour-
nal team for the opportunity to organize it and for the excellent organization and support of all
papers submitted.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

List of Contributions
1. Connie, T.; Aderinola, T.B.; Ong, T.S.; Goh, M.K.O.; Erfianto, B.; Purnama, B. Pose-
Based Gait Analysis for Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Algorithms 2022, 15, 474,
doi: 10.3390/a15120474.
Algorithms 2024, 17, 105 5 of 6

2. Pavliuk, O.; Mishchuk, M.; Strauss, C. Transfer Learning Approach for Human Ac-
tivity Recognition Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform. Algorithms 2023, 16, 77.
https://doi.org/10.3390/a16020077.
3. Bhatt, C.M.; Patel, P.; Ghetia, T.; Mazzeo, P.L. Effective Heart Disease Prediction Using
Machine Learning Techniques. Algorithms 2023, 16, 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/a160
20088.
4. Wilbik, A.; Vanderfeesten, I.; Bergmans, D.; Heines, S.; Turetken, O.; van Mook, W.
Towards a Flexible Assessment of Compliance with Clinical Protocols Using Fuzzy
Aggregation Techniques. Algorithms 2023, 16, 109. https://doi.org/10.3390/a16020109.
5. Chen, J.-S.; Kuo, C.-M.; Hung, R.-W. An Efficient GNSS Coordinate Recognition
Algorithm for Epidemic Management. Algorithms 2023, 16, 132. https://doi.org/10.3
390/a16030132.
6. Ahammed, A.S.; Ezekiel, A.M.; Obermaisser, R. Time-Efficient Identification Proce-
dure for Neurological Complications of Rescue Patients in an Emergency Scenario
Using Hardware-Accelerated Artificial Intelligence Models. Algorithms 2023, 16, 258.
https://doi.org/10.3390/a16050258.
7. Mao, Y.-J.; Tam, A.Y.-C.; Shea, Q.T.-K.; Zheng, Y.-P.; Cheung, J.C.-W. ENightTrack:
Restraint-Free Depth-Camera-Based Surveillance and Alarm System for Fall Preven-
tion Using Deep Learning Tracking. Algorithms 2023, 16, 477. https://doi.org/10.339
0/a16100477.
8. Alzahrani, A.K.; Alsheikhy, A.A.; Shawly, T.; Azzahrani, A.; Said, Y. A Novel Deep
Learning Segmentation and Classification Framework for Leukemia Diagnosis. Algo-
rithms 2023, 16, 556–556. https://doi.org/10.3390/a16120556.
9. Alderighi, S.; Landa, P.; Tànfani, E.; Testi, A. Assessing the Impact of Patient Charac-
teristics on Genetic Clinical Pathways: A Regression Approach. Algorithms 2024, 17,
75. https://doi.org/10.3390/a17020075.

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