Will AI LLM models eventually replace physicians?

In my journey of almost a decade in the healthcare space, the last few years witnessed some significant shifts. The past 3 years, in particular, felt like fast-forwarding through half a century. These rapid transformations lead me to think about the trajectory of healthcare. How will the next wave of innovations shape our global healthcare landscape?

In this post-COVID-19 age, our approach to healthcare has been reshaped. From virtual consultations to smart wearables guiding our health choices, we've redefined our interactions with healthcare providers as well.

But with these advancements, one question baffles me: “Will the AI LLM models eventually replace doctors?”

Dr. John Halamka, President of the Mayo Clinic platform, offered intriguing insights in a recent AMA interview. He remarked on the dichotomy of the healthcare sector – an industry inherently rooted in tradition, yet at the cusp of tech-driven change. Unlike sectors where technology adoption can be swift and agile, healthcare often treads with caution. Every new tool, every software, every AI model isn't just a matter of efficiency but of lives and ethics.

He underscored the dual facets of AI in healthcare. While AI like ChatGPT can simulate human-like interactions, their effectiveness hinges on the quality of their training data. But there's a silver lining: models like these can serve as invaluable allies. Instead of envisioning a future where AI replaces clinicians, he pictures one where AI enhances the physician's capabilities, guiding them through intricate diagnoses and ensuring no medical detail is overlooked.

Another study by JAMA Intern Med echoed a similar sentiment. When patient interactions facilitated by ChatGPT were juxtaposed against those led by physicians, AI's responses were favoured in a significant 78.6% of evaluations. Yet, this doesn't insinuate a future devoid of human physicians. It highlights the vast potential wherein AI can augment the clinician's role, improving patient interactions and streamlining their tasks.

However, as we venture deeper into this integration of technology and healthcare, certain truths remain:

1. Irreplaceable Empathy in Healthcare: While tech offers solutions, it lacks the genuine empathy and trust that "human" doctors provide in critical medical interactions.
2. Physicians' Unique Decision-Making Process: Doctors bring creativity and intuition to patient care, handling complex cases in ways algorithms can't predict.
3. Complex Technology Needs Human Mastery: Advanced medical tech, from surgical robots to IBM Watson, requires human expertise for optimal operation and judgement.

Reflecting on findings such as a 2019 study in Nature Medicine, where an AI showcased proficiency in diagnosing skin cancer, it’s evident that while AI might augment certain facets of healthcare, the physician’s role remains pivotal.

In conclusion, as I navigate the myriad perspectives on AI's role in healthcare, one belief stands unwavering: the future isn't about AI vs. humans, but AI "and" humans. It's a collaborative vision where technology and humanity converge to redefine healthcare, always with patient welfare at its heart.

Resources:?

1. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/why-generative-ai-chatgpt-cannot-replace-physicians
2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2804309 ?
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/will-artificial-intelligence-replace-doctors
4. https://www.hunimed.eu/news/5-motivi-per-cui-lintelligenza-artificiale-non-potra-sostituire-la-figura-del-medico/
5. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/will-ai-replace-doctors