While AI has - yet again - created a hype in many fields, in medicine at this point in time it has to be employed within meaningful limits. I am a strong supporter of technology, of AI, of digitization in medicine, where it makes sense, where it serves a purpose, where enough data in adequate quality is available. AI needs reliable data in large quantities for sufficient training. AI cannot perform surgery or decide on therapeutic approaches, but it can make medicine better and more efficient.
Yes, AI is helpful, yes AI is necessary and it solves many topics in our data driven world. The currently lagging status of digitization and increasing burden of bureaucratic load offers a wide field for artificial intelligence. The average doctor spends between 30 and 55% of his daily routine on paperwork. In many cases redundant, pointless paperwork - what a waste. This work can easily be solved by smart solutions, thus saving time, which the patient benefits from.
AI can and will replace humans in data filtering, calculation and in repetitive tasks, where accuracy and precision can be enhanced by data and results above 90% are satisfactory. Paperwork such as documentation, reports and billing will be done by AI and the future has already begun. The Munich based team at doctos.de offers an automated app solution for dentists allowing handsfree, speech-based documentation supported by AI. The doctors and their team immediately have more time for their patients. This will expand to other medical fields and professions, allowing smooth workflows, enabling better medicine and a bullet-proof documentation. Let us integrate our technical co-pilots and train them as quickly as we can. Demographic development, more complex medical cases and therapy methods as well as the increasing workforce shortage will make technology in medicine more necessary than ever before. So technology will not replace medical experts, but medical experts using technology will overtake their analogue colleagues. Use AI, every day, use it wisely!
I recommend the following New York Times article „A.I. May someday Work Medical Miracles. For Now It Helps Do Paperwork“ by Steve Lohr: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/26/technology/ai-health-care-documentation.html
In addition the German Speakers may read in Kma-online: https://www.kma-online.de/aktuelles/it-digital-health/detail/was-mit-chatgpt-co-auf-die-kliniken-zukommt-50012 „Was mit ChatGPT & Co. auf die Kliniken zukommt“
Furthermore read Eric Topol „Stump the Medical Expert or GPT-4?“ :
Thanks for this great guest post to PD Dr. med. Dominik Pförringer !
Certified orthopedic and trauma surgeon
Founder of the www.Digitalhealthsummit.de