Can artificial intelligence define new treatment policies in Healthcare?

Artificial intelligence is a technology with the potential to revolutionize the health sector and open a whole world of new possibilities for doctors, researchers, or pharmacists. An intelligent machine uses techniques such as machine learning or deep learning to incorporate new knowledge and the process is based on algorithms. It is increasingly widespread in numerous fields, but there is one that stands out above the rest for the great possibilities it offers: medicine. Thanks to this ability to obtain information, artificial intelligence already offers many advantages when making medical diagnoses.

The application of this technology in the medical sector also forces hospitals and health centers to adapt to new administrative processes. For example, it will be possible to automate the search and verification of files. We should remember that the application of artificial intelligence in the health sector will also force hospitals and doctors to use new tools, methods, techniques, and systems. For example, in the way tests are carried out, or in the distribution of resources.

The challenges that artificial intelligence faces in medicine are even more earthly than what we are used to seeing in typical science fiction movies. There may be intelligent robots in the future capable of performing any operation, but for now, the human factor is still essential.

On the other hand, the advances it allows in health are many and very varied, although in many cases they are still linked to experiments and projects by specialized companies. In other words, in most cases, they are not yet routinely applied in hospitals or health centers. They can be developed in numerous fields such as pharmacology. The development of more effective drugs in much less time is already possible such as the discovery of two drugs to treat Ebola in just a few days, when it would have taken months, or even years, for humans.

Similarly, the ability to analyze and interpret images can also be of great help in radiology. In addition, thanks to machine learning they can improve more and more based on the image studies previously carried out. One of the main applications is in oncology, that is, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Smart machines have shown great efficacy in detecting breast or prostate cancer through biopsy analysis, reaching a hit rate of 90%

Thanks to this technology it is possible to know with greater precision an organ as complex as the brain. This allows us to better understand how neural connections work and to advance in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with strokes or brain damage, and diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or senile dementia.

Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare

Among its most obvious applications, diagnosis of pathologies is among the main ones allowing for more specific treatments, based on effective diagnoses. In addition, in the future, the use of robotic machines or caregivers will become a reality, in the same way, that robotic pets already are in nursing homes.

Another use of it has also been found in the administrative area. Professionals in the health sector have to face mechanical tasks such as medical consultations on patients. This type of task can be done automatically and effectively using AI.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence in the medical sector

Advantages of artificial intelligence in medicine:

• Process huge amounts of clinical information in a short time.
• Obtain better diagnoses.
• New and more effective ways of treating patients.
• Identify hidden patterns in data to offer better diagnoses.
• Save time searching for information or other mechanical tasks.
• Serve as help in developing countries or where there are not too many specialists in certain health disciplines.

Disadvantages of artificial intelligence in medicine:

• Lack of regulations regarding its use in medical practices.
• A large amount of information is obtained, but it must be remembered that the patient’s data is confidential.
• Ethical and moral dilemmas. Can a person be informed that they will suffer severe cognitive impairment in the future, or is it information that could traumatize the patient?
• Scary sale. For example, a company collects clinical data from patients and uses it to send them alarmist information about their health, while offering miraculous treatments.
• Lack of medical preparation. Most healthcare personnel still have to adapt to the use of these technologies.
• Updating of medical devices and instruments. Not all hospitals or health centers have the budget to have these tools.

The assessment that the majority of professionals in the sector make of the use of artificial intelligence is the same: it is a technology that can support and help solve complex situations, but it can never replace the healthcare professional. In other words, the last decision must always be made by the doctor.

The article has been written by Dr. Raul V. Rodriguez,

He can be reached on LinkedIn.