The emerging role of cognitive computing in healthcare: a systematic literature review

Abstract

To assist medical professional in better treatment of diseases, and improve patient outcomes, healthcare has brought about a cognitive computing revolution. The cognitive computing system processes enormous amounts of data instantly to answer specific queries and makes customized intelligent recommendations. Cognitive computing in healthcare links the functioning of human and machines where computers and the human brain truly overlap to improve human decision-making. In regard to this convergence, this systematic literature review (SLR) provides comprehensive information of the prior research related to cognitive computing in healthcare. The SLR focused on methods, algorithms, applications, results, strengths, and limitation using different research articles collected from leading international databases using linear and citation chaining search. The main outcomes of the SLR include proposal on future research direction, challenges faced by researchers, capabilities and the impact of cognitive computing on healthcare outcome and a conceptual model, showcasing the better utilization of cognitive computing in healthcare domain. This study concludes with managerial implications, limitations and scope for future work.