The Future of AI in Medicine

The future of AI in medicine is here as hospitals and practitioners implement Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) into medical routines in major ways. What is it, how is it being used now, and how will it be used later?

AI

Alexa and Siri are forms of AI that people already use daily; they are artificial intelligence devices that rely on information fed into their systems (computers). AI then takes the data and processes it to provide content that can be easily understood by humans.

Generative AI

Generative AI takes the process one step further. As AI systems take in data, they “learn” from it and are able to create and provide content not programmed by humans. ChatGPT and Grok represent Generative AI.

Latest Uses of AI In Medicine

The Generative AI process sounds very promising to medical professionals who need fast, efficient, life-saving answers to complicated medical questions.

During the writing of this article, ChatGPT was asked about the latest use of Generative AI in medicine. The replies included the following headings (with our summaries):

• Drug Discovery and Development - AI is accelerating research and development of new drugs, which saves time and reduces cost.

• Clinical Documentation and Decision Support - AI is assisting medical professionals by transforming communications with patients into organized notes within seconds, which is helpful to analysis and decision-making.

• Medical Education and Training - AI is being used to help medical students understand complex subjects with 3D models of human anatomy and is providing virtual surgical simulations that allows student doctors to practice before performing actual surgeries.

Personalized Patient Engagement

The argument is that AI will enhance medical care by using Generative AI in particular. But how far should Generative AI go within the field of medicine?

Personalized Patient Engagement was listed within ChatGPT’s latest Generative AI uses. An article by software/data engineering company Kanini highlights the ability of AI to act as an “intelligent virtual assistant” that “knows you better than a friend” and provides “personalized interactions and quick responses to frequently asked questions.”

Bernard Marr is a well-known author and influencer who is considered an AI expert. He is passionate about his desire to implement AI for the benefit of mankind and has written quite of few best-selling books on the subject.

In October of 2023, he wrote an article featured in Forbes.com titled, “The 10 Biggest Trends Revolutionizing Healthcare in 2024,” in which he suggests Generative AI should be used within the medical field for Virtual Healthcare Assistance, Telemedicine, Elder Care, Mental Care, and more.

Marr provides an impressive list that ignites the medical imagination, but what does his Generative AI list really mean for human beings who need more than technological medical attention, specifically within Nurse Call Systems?

Man vs. Machine

Hospital facility managers and medical staff must take a hard look at the advancements in AI technology and implement AI through the human experience first to determine if they’re actually improving medical care and quality of life.

We’re all experiencing the implementation of empty — and sometimes frustrating — AI in our daily lives; fast-food drive-ups, phone-bank voice systems, parking lot attendants, and government offices that are replacing people with AI systems. In too many instances, AI does not provide ease of use and greater efficiency. Even if Generative AI can provide medical information faster, to what extent will the information provided be more reliable? Will patients trust the AI process? The most important question: Will patients respond favorably to AI systems and processes that involve their very personal healthcare situations?

Purpose of AI

No matter what side of the technical fence medical professionals fall on, the best decisions concerning AI implementation should rely on the most human-friendly uses of machines to serve people, and not the other way around.

When patients push call buttons, they do not want the answer to come from faceless, heartless technology. Case-and-Point: A study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that patients prefer interactions with human doctors first, followed by human doctors supported by AI systems. AI-only interactions are the least preferred.

Though AI might improve the efficiency of systems, one has to ask if AI will aid in the actual recovery, well-being and survival of patients. Imagine hospitals full of patients dealing with AI systems for significant portions of their healthcare needs: AI (computer) nurse-call responses, instead of human nurses; AI-supplied (computer) instructions about after-care, instead of human conversations with doctors; AI (computer) discharges, instead of interacting with hospital staff.

Humans need social interaction, which factors greatly within the health improvement of every patient. The American Psychological Association (APA) published an article in 2017 concerning social isolation as a greater risk to public health than obesity. The writer states, “Being connected to others socially is widely considered a fundamental human need — crucial to both well-being and survival.”

Aionex is About the Human Difference

Aionex provides Nurse Call Systems that are Systems for Life — software and hardware packages that help improve efficiency within systems that work before they're needed, which helps hospitals serve individuals with the care and respect they deserve. In some ways, Aionex works like AI without becoming AI, using software and hardware to track actions and gather information prior, during, and after every event, which can be analyzed to improve final outcomes.

Aionex cares about the systems we help hospitals create, because we care about the people who use them and the patients who need them. We look forward to working with the advancements that AI technology will bring, but Aionex Nurse Call Systems strive first to serve the human condition. Aionex software and hardware packages help hospitals provide the best communication and care possible, starting with an authentic and reliable relationship that serves patients, medical staff, and a hospital’s bottom line.

Contact us for more information,

or to schedule an in-person tour of Aionex working systems.

We’re big enough to work with any medical facility,

and small enough to know each of our clients on a personal level,

and that’s something AI can never learn or imitate.

support@aionex.com

615.851.4477