“AI has the potential to bring about positive changes in healthcare and to empower patients by providing them with more control over their health”, reads an article in the BDJ published on May 26, 2023, which, interestingly, was entirely written by Chat GPT, an AI conversation tool developed by Open AI! Manas Dave and Neil Patel, Lecturers at the University of Manchester, UK, are, however, listed as the authors. Dave and Patel specify that is they who verified the integrity of the content and are accountable for what was submitted to the journal (something which AI is unable to do). That is why ChatGPT is not listed as an author, but its use has been documented in the publication.
The article lists the potential benefits for patients of the use of AI in healthcare, including:
- Personalized Health Information: AI analyzes patient data to provide tailored recommendations for maintaining good health.
- Remote Monitoring: AI-powered systems track and monitor vital signs, alerting healthcare providers to potential issues.
- Virtual Consultations: AI enables remote medical care, benefiting patients in remote areas or with mobility issues.
- Medication Management: AI analyzes patient data to improve medication management and reduce the risk of adverse drug events.
- Increased Transparency: AI provides patients with more information about their health and treatments, empowering them to make informed decisions and build trust with healthcare providers.
The article also lists the potential benefits for healthcare professionals, including:
- Clinical Decision Support: AI provides real-time guidance to doctors based on patient data, reducing the risk of errors.
- Continuous Medical Education: AI analyzes medical literature to keep doctors updated on best practices and advancements.
- Quality Improvement: AI monitors healthcare providers’ performance, offering feedback and recommendations for improvement.
- Virtual Simulation and Training: AI enables students to practice complex procedures on virtual patients, enhancing hands-on training.
- Diagnosis and Treatment Assistance: AI analyzes medical data to aid professionals in making accurate diagnoses and developing personalized treatment plans.
Conclusions
The authors conclude that to maximize the benefits and minimize risks of AI in healthcare education, ongoing research and regulation are crucial. Challenges include the requirement for high-quality data for AI algorithm training. Collaboration between researchers, educators, medical professionals, data scientists, and regulatory bodies is essential to ensure accurate and ethically obtained data for training AI algorithms in compliance with privacy regulations.
Citation
Dave, M., Patel, N. Artificial intelligence in healthcare and education. Br Dent J 234, 761–764 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5845-2
Read the full text of the article at this link on the BDJ website