AI in Healthcare - Are We Missing The Human Element?

Amit Khanal, MD, FACP; Bibhusan Basnet, MD

doi:10.69512/ajphi.v1i2.85

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024)

Issue Published : October 10, 2024

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Submitted

December 2, 2024

Published

December 3, 2024

AI in Healthcare - Are We Missing The Human Element?

https://doi.org/10.69512/ajphi.v1i2.85

Amit Khanal, MD, FACP

Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Bibhusan Basnet, MD

Department of Hospital Medicine, Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory, NC, USA

Corresponding Author(s) : Amit Khanal, MD, FACP

akhanal@wakehealth.edu

The American Journal of Patient Health Info, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024)
Article Published : December 3, 2024

Abstract

AI is transforming healthcare by improving diagnoses, personalizing treatments, and streamlining workflows. While it enhances efficiency and accessibility, challenges like data privacy, bias, and accountability remain. Balancing technological innovation with human-centered care is vital to maximizing its benefits.

Khanal, MD, FACP, A., & Basnet, MD, B. (2024). AI in Healthcare - Are We Missing The Human Element?. The American Journal of Patient Health Info, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.69512/ajphi.v1i2.85

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References

No doctor needed? Dr. Michael Abramoff on the potential of autonomous AI. NEJM AI Podcast. Available from: https://ai-podcast.nejm.org/e/no-doctor-needed-dr-michael-abramoff-on-the-potential-of-autonomous-ai/
Zink A, Chernew ME, Neprash HT. How Should Medicare Pay for Artificial Intelligence? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38805195/

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Amit Khanal^a, Bibhusan Basnet^b

^aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

^bDepartment of Hospital Medicine, Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory, NC, USA

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already begun to reshape healthcare, offering new opportunities to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience. AI has been a lively topic during our lunch breaks and casual conversations around the office. It's fascinating how it sparks such varied opinions and insights. My hospital recently started an AI-based virtual sitter technology, and one of our nursing staff shared a genuine concern. Will it get the job done right? As AI evolves, we will witness many possibilities that once lived in our dreams.

The Promise

While the clinical applications of AI are impressive, patients are the ones who most acutely feel the true impact of AI in healthcare, from enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses to improving the overall patient experience. By analyzing patient data, including genetics, medical history, and even lifestyle factors, AI can help tailor treatments to individual patients. This personalized approach increases the likelihood of successful outcomes and minimizes the risk of adverse reactions, as treatments can be fine-tuned to each patient’s unique profile.

In addition to its clinical applications, AI is streamlining many administrative processes in healthcare. From scheduling appointments and managing billing to optimizing hospital workflows, AI-powered systems reduce inefficiencies and cut costs, freeing up resources that can be reinvested into patient care. This automation reduces the risk of human error in tasks like medication management, ensuring patients receive the right treatments at the right time.

Finance

Will the reimbursement remain the same? This is always a big question. I recently read about the FDA-authorized AI device capable of detecting diabetic retinopathy without physician involvement. [1] I have a copay of around 60$ at my eye doctor's office, and if I use this device, will my copay be cheaper? Pricing and payment for these services are still in development. This would revolutionize the financial burden on patients. It will be interesting to see how the big companies keep pushing their profit margins. AI's ability to improve patient outcomes should align with value-based care models focusing on quality rather than quantity. By carefully considering how to pay for these services, like bundling or value-based payment, the healthcare system can unlock this technology's significant benefits and improve patient care. [2]

Ethical Concerns and Data Privacy

While the benefits of AI in healthcare are undeniable, they come with significant ethical considerations. The use of AI often depends on massive datasets, which include sensitive personal information. Ensuring the privacy and security of this data is paramount. Healthcare providers and AI developers must work together to establish robust data protection protocols to prevent breaches and misuse.

One of the major challenges with AI in healthcare is the risk of bias in the algorithms. If AI models are trained on biased or incomplete data, they may produce inaccurate or inequitable results. If there is race or gender in the screening of any disease, this can lead to disparities in care and disproportionately affect minority or underserved populations. AI systems must be trained on diverse and representative datasets to minimize this risk.

The Human Element

The use of AI raises questions about accountability. In cases where AI systems make diagnostic errors or recommend inappropriate treatments, who is responsible—the developer, the healthcare provider, or the machine itself? Clear guidelines and regulations must be established to address these concerns as AI’s role in healthcare expands. While AI can enhance clinical decision-making, it should not replace human judgment. The ideal scenario is when AI works alongside healthcare providers, augmenting their capabilities rather than replacing them. Ensuring clinicians are trained to work with AI tools and remain involved in decision-making is key to providing the best patient outcomes.

By automating tasks and reducing costs, AI can make high-quality healthcare more accessible to underserved populations. In regions with a shortage of healthcare professionals, AI-powered diagnostic tools could be deployed to provide care where human specialists are scarce. This brings an alarming concern- the potential displacement of jobs, particularly in areas where AI can perform tasks traditionally done by humans. Radiologists, for example, may see their roles evolve as AI takes over some of their duties in image analysis. However, rather than replacing healthcare professionals, AI should be viewed as a tool that can augment their capabilities, allowing them to focus on the more human aspects of care—empathy, communication, and decision-making. A few encouraging words from a doctor or nurse can help patients push a few more feet during physical therapy sessions or take their morning pills. The lack of emotional connection is an emerging concern that may be fortified with the advent of AI.

The Way Forward

AI has already begun to reshape healthcare, offering new opportunities to improve clinical outcomes and the patient experience. This AI revolution is not without its challenges—ethical concerns, data privacy, and the potential displacement of jobs. As we move forward, a balance must be struck between embracing AI's potential and safeguarding the values of human-centered care. While challenges remain, the continued development of AI technologies promises to usher in a new era of patient-centered, data-driven healthcare that benefits patients and providers alike.