Machine learning applied to healthcare: a conceptual review

Abstract The technological inference in procedures applied to healthcare is frequently investigated in order to understand the real contribution to decision-making and clinical improvement. In this context, the theoretical field of machine learning has suitably presented itself. The objective of this research is to identify the main machine learning algorithms used in healthcare through the methodology of a systematic literature review. Considering the time frame of the last twenty years, 173 studies were mined based on established criteria, which allowed the grouping of algorithms into typologies. Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, and Deep Learning were the groups derived from the studies mined, establishing 59 works employed. We expect that this research will stimulate investigations towards machine learning applications in healthcare.