Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make strides in the field of medicine, showing promise in improving patient care. A recent study conducted by physicians at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City utilized AI to monitor patients in their “step down” units, who are not quite sick enough to require intensive care but may deteriorate rapidly without warning. The AI systems monitored vital signs, heart rhythm, laboratory results, and nurse observations of the patients. Those monitored by AI were 43% more likely to receive appropriate therapy for clinical deterioration and had a lower mortality rate after 30 days compared to patients monitored by traditional methods.
Senior study author Dr. David Reich described the AI tools as “augmented intelligence” that speeds up clinical evaluations and prompts treatments to keep patients safer. This approach is seen as a step towards becoming a learning health system. Additionally, researchers have evaluated the effectiveness of chatbots like ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 in answering specialized medical questions, with the latter scoring higher in accuracy, relevance, and completeness. These chatbots provide quick access to a wide array of medical data, enhancing physicians’ ability to make informed decisions in complex medical scenarios.
Despite these positive outcomes, some caution is advised in fully relying on AI for medical advice. Google’s AI Overview received criticism for offering inaccurate and even comical medical advice in response to patient queries. However, when used appropriately, AI can serve as a valuable tool to complement human physicians who may struggle to keep up with the latest medical literature. In the future, AI may serve as a trustworthy extension of healthcare providers, providing support in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
As patient interest in AI-augmented healthcare grows, it is clear that AI has the potential to enhance medical care and improve patient outcomes. While there are still challenges to overcome, the integration of AI in healthcare shows promise in revolutionizing the way medical professionals deliver care.
Source” https://www.pressrundown.com/health/patients-may-trust-ai-more-than-humans-soon
