Does artificial intelligence belong in healthcare?

Let’s talk about artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, in healthcare.

More and more studies are looking at its potential benefits—like the ability to detect abnormalities on scans much earlier…

While also weighing certain risks—like its impact on doctor-patient relationships and the individuality of medicine.

Indeed, it’s a tricky subject. And to be honest, I’m not a big fan of the idea. But to be totally transparent, I don’t know enough about it yet.

With that in mind, let’s dip our toes into the world of AI together…

To “AI” or not to “AI”

Many endoscopists are pro-AI, as they believe it will help cut down on missed lesions in the gut or colon.

In fact, a whopping 90 percent believe AI can improve the quality of an endoscopy—helping to strengthen their reports and accuracy of diagnoses, if any.

And 85 percent of endoscopists surveyed said AI could help improve patient outcomes.

(An endoscopy is a procedure where a doctor takes a look inside your body using an instrument called an endoscope.)

But how do patients feel about this? That’s what this recent analysis set out to explore…

The World Endoscopy Organization AI Committee performed a global survey. Just over 1,230 patients—including more than 200 people per continent—responded to 13 statements about the use of AI in endoscopy.

Responses were ranked on a 5-point Likert scale that ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

About a quarter of respondents were current or prior gastroenterology patients—and 25 percent had already undergone an endoscopy.

Here are some key takeaways…

Push and pull

The majority of people—75 percent—were comfortable with physicians using AI to assist in analyzing endoscopic images.

But only 20 percent trusted the takeaways of AI over an experienced endoscopist.

In other words, most patients would support the “extra eye” of AI, but prefer the final analysis and report to come from their trusted physician.

And I have to say, I don’t blame them.

Do we really want to put our full faith into this type of technology… when doctors, like myself, pride themselves on decades of education, experience, enthusiasm, and more?

While I can see there’s some merit behind utilizing the strength of AI to assist in decision-making in healthcare, I don’t believe it should ever replace the work of an experienced professional.

But that’s just my opinion.

Source:

“Patients Like AI for Endoscopy.” Medpage Today, 05/20/2024. (medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/ddw/110219)