The good! (Positive)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous across all industries.
In the medical field, artificial intelligence (AI) assists medical professionals in reducing workload, streamlining tasks, providing real-time data, increasing operational efficiency, and simplifying intricate procedures.
AI has the potential to improve or optimize diagnostic processes, produce more precise diagnoses, forecast patient outcomes, and customize care.
AI-assisted methods can improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency, and reduce medical expenses.
By helping with more time-consuming tasks, like explaining diagnoses, AI can help to lessen “physician burnout,” so medical professionals may feel less stressed.
The bad! (Negative)
AI exposes humans to a chilly, objective, and results-oriented robotic system. It is unable to make empathetic decisions or recognize the human feelings underlying a diagnostic result.
AI can assist in obtaining the data, but human eyes and methods are still needed for interpretation.
Who will be in charge of AI accountability and accuracy? It approves major decisions and should not be given that choice either.
Numerous ethical and legal concerns are also raised by the application of AI in healthcare. Since AI relies on having access to a large amount of patient data, data privacy is one of the primary concerns.
Safe and appropriate management of patient data is crucial to preventing data breaches and safeguarding patient privacy.
The ugly! (Worrisome)
Frequently, a patient’s needs go beyond their current physical state. Appropriate recommendations for specific patients may be influenced by social, economic, and historical factors.
AI might not take into consideration a patient’s financial constraints or other individualized preferences.
Another problem is bias in AI management or diagnostic algorithms.
Because the outputs rely on the quality of the data used to train the model, this may lead to unfair outcomes. Ensuring that AI algorithms are transparent, equitable, and that biases are recognized and addressed is essential.
There is a chance that AI will be inaccurate. There will always be some missing data, regardless of how good the AI system is. When it comes to prescriptions, there may be a lack of information about specific populations and treatment responses. Patients from specific
demographics may have trouble being diagnosed and treated as a result of this phenomenon.
Additionally, there is worry that AI may eventually supplant human judgment, which could lead to a decline in the human element in patient care.
It is crucial to stress that AI should be utilized as a tool to support and enhance the quality of life for both patients and healthcare professionals, not as a means of replacing them.
Conclusion!
Is AI a good fit for healthcare?
AI undoubtedly has the potential to enhance the provision of healthcare. Clinicians’ schedules can be freed up to engage with patients more by automating tedious tasks. Enhancing the accessibility of data helps medical professionals take the appropriate precautions against disease. Diagnoses can be improved and made faster with real-time data.
Additionally, it can save important resources and lower administrative errors.
The original plan for AI was far more ambitious. There were audacious claims that highly qualified surgeons, radiologists, and diagnosticians would lose their jobs to artificial intelligence in healthcare technology.
In fact, it is not even close. Some medical equipment uses artificial intelligence. The use of computer-guided radiology equipment and robot-assisted surgery is increasing.
AI has the potential to advance and speed up medical innovation, but there are drawbacks as well. Healthcare AI adoption requires responsibility and a thorough understanding of the risks.
Sources
1. Ahuja AS. The impact of artificial intelligence in medicine on the future role of the physician. PeerJ. 2019 Oct 4;7:e7702. doi: 10.7717/peerj.7702.
2. Chustecki M. Benefits and Risks of AI in Health Care: Narrative Review. Interact J Med Res. 2024 Nov 18;13:e53616. doi: 10.2196/53616.
3. Cordero D. The downsides of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Korean J Pain. 2024 Jan 1;37(1):87-88. doi: 10.3344/kjp.23312.
Author Information
Thar Thar Oo
MBBS, MD, MPH, FAAN
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Chief Clinical Neurology, Asia Royal Hospital, Yangon.
