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This week a blog from guest author Hannah Afsar who sheds light on a timely issue faced by patients.
AI vs. Human Doctors: A Comparative Study
What?
In recent months, artificial intelligence (AI) and its adoption in various sectors, especially healthcare, has been a hot topic. Its potential use in doctor-patient interactions is not exempt from this wave of interest. A recent study, published in JAMA International Medicine, has thrown a spotlight on AI-powered chat rooms in the healthcare sector.
The study compared AI’s responses with doctors’ responses to patient queries. However, the catch was that neither party had access to patients’ medical histories. The study, albeit with a small sample, intended to explore the comparative efficiency of AI and human responses to health-related questions.
What were the results? The researchers found that the doctors’ answers were in-depth, personalised, and well-explained, reflecting the years of training and experience that human medical practitioners have under their belts. In contrast, the AI’s responses were found to be generic, akin to what anyone might find with a quick Google search.
It’s important to note that the study had its limitations. It wasn’t a randomised controlled trial, and therefore the data might be of lower quality. Nonetheless, it did highlight key strengths and weaknesses in using AI in healthcare, particularly in patient interaction and diagnosis.
Why?
This research comes at a time when the role of AI in healthcare has been garnering significant attention. AI has the potential to revolutionise aspects of patient care, but this study showed that it may not be ready to replace human doctors in diagnosing or managing patients’ health conditions just yet.
AI’s generic responses may be insufficient for nuanced medical inquiries that often need a personalised touch. Human doctors are trained to spot complex and rare diseases, and to differentiate symptoms, providing diagnoses that range from minor ailments to life-threatening conditions. Moreover, doctors can perform physical examinations, an essential part of forming a management plan and ruling out differential diagnoses.
But there’s more to medicine than just diagnosis. The human element in healthcare, the ability to emote and empathise, is crucial, especially when conveying unfortunate news or reassuring patients, such as children. Despite AI’s ability to mimic empathy, it cannot replicate the reassurance and real-time interaction provided by a human doctor.
How Does It Affect You?
The outcomes of this study have considerable implications for healthcare consumers, particularly patients in the NHS. While AI may have its limitations, it is not entirely without merit. It could have potential benefits in a medical education setting, providing model answers for students and professionals, thereby enhancing their learning process.
For patients, it’s crucial to use NHS services efficiently and effectively. If you’re considering turning to AI chatbots for health advice, bear in mind their limitations as highlighted by this study. They might be beneficial for preliminary health information, but a doctor should always be your first point of contact for a detailed, personalised, and empathetic diagnosis.
To ensure optimal use of NHS services, always try to access the right service at the right time. This might involve booking an appointment with your general practitioner (GP) or using the NHS 111 online service when necessary. For urgent care, never hesitate to visit the nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
The rise of AI in healthcare is a complex and evolving issue. As patients, it’s essential to stay informed and engaged with these developments. After all, healthcare is not just about diagnoses and treatment—it’s about empathy, reassurance, and a human touch. Would you trust an AI chatbot with your health advice? Share your thoughts with us.
As always, best wishes from myHSN!
