Meta-learning in healthcare: A survey
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Abstract (arXiv)
As a subset of machine learning, meta-learning, or learning to learn, aims at improving the model's capabilities by employing prior knowledge and experience. A meta-learning paradigm can appropriately tackle the conventional challenges of traditional learning approaches, such as insufficient number of samples, domain shifts, and generalization. These unique characteristics position meta-learning as a suitable choice for developing influential solutions in various healthcare contexts, where the available data is often insufficient, and the data collection methodologies are different. This survey discusses meta-learning broad applications in the healthcare domain to provide insight into how and where it can address critical healthcare challenges. We first describe the theoretical foundations and pivotal methods of meta-learning. We then divide the employed meta-learning approaches in the healthcare domain into two main categories of multi/single-task learning and many/few-shot learning and survey the studies. Finally, we highlight the current challenges in meta-learning research, discuss the potential solutions, and provide future perspectives on meta-learning in healthcare.
Key facts. Cited by 9 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 76 of its 241 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 5 Aug 2023.
Builds on
76 of 241 references.
References · 76
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38 more
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50 most cited of 76 All 76 (JSON)
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Citing papers per year: 2024: 3; 2025: 5; 2026: 1.
9 papers.
- 2025One Subgoal at a Time: Zero-Shot Generalization to Arbitrary Linear Temporal Logic Requirements in Multi-Task Reinforcement Learningcited by 8
- 2024Electrocardiogram-Language Model for Few-Shot Question Answering with Meta Learningcited by 5
- 2024Robust Meta-Model for Predicting the Need for Blood Transfusion in Non-traumatic ICU Patientscited by 0
- 2024Multi-omics data integration for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using machine learningcited by 0
- 2025Riemannian Geometric-based Meta Learningcited by 0
- 2025Meta-Learning Approaches for Speaker-Dependent Voice Fatigue Modelscited by 0
- 2025Zero-Training Task-Specific Model Synthesis for Few-Shot Medical Image Classificationcited by 0
- 2025Early Prediction of Sepsis using Heart Rate Signals and Genetic Optimized LSTM Algorithmcited by 0
- 2026Meta-Learning and Meta-Reinforcement Learning -- Tracing the Path towards DeepMind's Adaptive Agentcited by 0
- 2026Meta-Learning and Meta-Reinforcement Learning -- Tracing the Path towards DeepMind's Adaptive Agent23 Feb 2026
- 2025Early Prediction of Sepsis using Heart Rate Signals and Genetic Optimized LSTM Algorithm30 Dec 2025
- 2025Zero-Training Task-Specific Model Synthesis for Few-Shot Medical Image Classification18 Nov 2025
- 2025One Subgoal at a Time: Zero-Shot Generalization to Arbitrary Linear Temporal Logic Requirements in Multi-Task Reinforcement Learning3 Aug 2025
- 2025Meta-Learning Approaches for Speaker-Dependent Voice Fatigue Models29 May 2025
- 2025Riemannian Geometric-based Meta Learning14 Mar 2025
- 2024Electrocardiogram-Language Model for Few-Shot Question Answering with Meta Learning18 Oct 2024
- 2024Multi-omics data integration for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using machine learning20 Sep 2024
- 2024Robust Meta-Model for Predicting the Need for Blood Transfusion in Non-traumatic ICU Patients1 Jan 2024