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Can AI replace doctors?

Today, we can see the functions done by machines that were previously performed by people. The examples are vast from being able to order food from an iPad to driverless auto travel, all of these actions can now be done by using AI. However, will artificial intelligence make its way to the medical areas? The question is not will they replace doctors, but the question is how deeply AI will invade the medical fields. Of course, computers will not be able to perform traditional tasks, such as an abdomen or throat exam, but they can listen to heart sounds with greater accuracy than a doctor with a stethoscope could. Also, as most practicing doctors know, the physical exam is not as useful as the patient’s medical history. Most doctors will come to a conclusion after carefully listening to the patient’s story and their medical history.

Sophisticated computer algorithms can produce a person’s medical data and create specific diagnoses, many of which might not be considered by a human doctor. Companies like DoctorSpring provide people with quick, detailed medical advice and answers from online, expert doctors. When using this, you will be able to get professional help, diagnosis, and treatment plans, as well as free follow-ups, second-opinions and consultations.

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Although AI systems are not a real doctor, it offers a powerful tool for the medical profession. For example, doctors in primary care manage 1500 to 2000 patients, AI presents a big opportunity. If hospitals had AI in the exam rooms, it opens up a chance to improve medicine. It could let doctors know their patients better, learn how a disease affects them, and give the doctors time to coach their patients toward a good outcome.

How does AI work?

AI gives technology the capacity to learn, reason, and apply logic. Scientists, clinicians, mathematicians, doctors, and engineers all work together to input data and develop machine-learning research. AI could offer to save and reliable information when it comes to medical diagnosis and treatments by using huge amounts of data that is relevant.

AI could reduce the mortality rate. Medical science is viewed through disease and prevention, accurate treatments, learning about the patient’s past and by evaluating outcomes. Introducing systems that can access AI could help reduce death rates by prioritizing those in urgent need. It can also help by recommending treatments.

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AI gives fast and accurate diagnostics. These systems could help by giving advice to people on whether they need medical help or can successfully treat their illness at home. In 2016, IBM’S Watson computer was used to diagnose and within several minutes, a patient who was fighting leukemia was diagnosed with it by the computer. At that time, it did a cross-referencing of over 20 million oncology records.

AI is costly to implement, but once put in place, it can undertake a vast sector of tasks. It will help with movement assistance as well. As the medical institutions struggle to meet the patients’ needs. Hospitals are showing increasing interests in AI systems to help with labor-intensive but tasks that are needed.

Conclusion

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Even though AI systems will not entirely replace doctors, they will be able to help with a wide range of tasks in order to improve the overall medical field.


Peter is a freelance writer with more than eight years of experience covering topics in politics. He was one of the guys that were here when the foreignpolicyi.org started.