MEMBER VOICES: Me, myself, and AI

“One challenge that I foresee is the increasing cost of health care service. As a future doctor, I hope to address this challenge by being mindful of the cost of health care and working to find ways to reduce unnecessary costs while still providing effective care.”

Although the preceding paragraph is a well-crafted response from an AI, I am more interested in the impact of AI on health care. The industry's growth is rapid, and we must understand the role it plays in the field.

Medical professionals have used machine learning models and robotic systems for decades, with radiologists utilizing computer-assisted diagnosis to screen patients. Despite the significant recall burden in procedures such as mammography, AI has the potential to speed up radiographic and histological evaluations. There are numerous AI diagnosis support systems available, with the first being developed by the University of Massachusetts in 1986. These systems not only assist health care providers with treatment options and differentials but also fill in knowledge gaps for trainees. Today, vital sign trackers on watches, Da Vinci machines, and virtual "nurses" are helping strained hospital systems.

It is inevitable that technology and humanity will merge. Health care providers must understand AI and how it can serve as an adjunct. However, AI should remain a support system. It is easy to rely too much on these programs, given the ever-expanding technocopia at our disposal. While understaffed hospitals may eagerly implement these systems, it is important to remember that the foundation of health care lies in humanity, and the pillars of trust and competence. We must continue to hone our individual minds to function as healers without technological assistance. Without this skill, we lose the trust of our patients.

Benjamin Popokh is a fourth-year medical student at UT Southwestern Medical School.