Can AI Replace Doctors in Future?

AI is capable of operating everything that runs with binary commands with a limited set of possibilities. The revolution of AI is still in operation, and many distinguished talents are channeling the significance of AI in the right direction, especially in the health sector, to effectively contribute to the service of humankind. The blooming of AI in the health sector imbued a great sense of courage to leap with more faith. With stupendous changes in every sector, AI will soon see more cherishable days through contributions that will take multitudes by astonishment.

As the famous saying goes “Medicine cures the disease, doctors cure the patients”. It is evident, suggestible, and wise to understand the position of doctors in the world. Emotions are contagious. A doctor’s wide smile and heartwarming assurance are capable of assuaging grievous pain. On the other hand, machines can not communicate, resonate or stand by the patients who need a sense of touch. Everything has its own place, though. Technology and doctors are destined to be together as companions. By bringing enough force to merge doctors’ expertise with machine efficiency, the world will see the phenomenon of a miracle capable of saving lives from all dangers. Artificial Medical Intelligence incorporated into medical systems is widely aiding doctors in performing diagnoses and suggesting treatments respectively. From the vast data sets holding very essential information, AI is the only standing option to track information and utilize it to provide healthcare to the people.

Here’s a comprehensive take on why AI cannot replace doctors:

Empathy:

AI is advanced, error-free, efficient, conservative, and accurate but all these elements fall inferiorly short when it comes to showcasing empathy. As we all internally know, robots cannot resonate with pain or grief. Quality healthcare and a health-providing doctor are gauged by the amount of empathy they emanate towards patients. The lack of empathy has always been the main argument when it comes to autonomous AI. The process of treating a patient not only includes a variety of medical maneuvers but is also largely dependent on the synergy that the doctor and patient share. Face to face interaction as patients put trust in their doctors to successfully overcome the diagnosis are among the million things that a doctor makes sure to provide besides medicine.

General disconnect:

Patients are naturally scared during their vulnerable stages and only a fellow human can provide enough assurance to overcome the fear. Robots are unpredictable and they run on predestined commands. According to a study by Boston University, more than 40% of people chose treatment by doctors over AI in any given scenario. Also, many underdeveloped countries that are not fully equipped with futuristic equipment refuse to get accessed by a robot. The fundamental argument is that each disease or condition varies between patients, symptoms, immunities, and bodies, which can not be addressed conclusively through algorithms. Whereas a doctor understands and enquires about the genetic condition and is equipped enough to learn about patient history to pluck the problem right from its roots.

Data-driven:

AI robots can not function in a situation where data is empty. Al is a data-driven technology where real-world examples are used to train machine learning algorithms. Data reinforces AI at every level to function. The more the data is, the greater they perform. The knowledge and efficiency of AI are widely correlated with the data it has to function. However, what about handling a data shortage? Patients may be reluctant to disclose some details or their circumstances may be unusual. Up until now, AI hasn’t been taught how to handle a shortage of data – perform spontaneously. And that’s where doctors take over the problem with experience, natural instincts, and creative thinking.

Lack of spontaneity:

AI is premeditated, pre-functioned, and runs on stored data. Let’s just assume a situation where a patient with an internal hemorrhage in the head suddenly shows mild symptoms of paralysis. In a critical and tricky situation, a doctor must act quickly with vast knowledge and experience. Whereas an AI machine stops at a crossroad of choosing between two fatal situations. Spontaneity is the prime trait of a doctor. AI bot’s are exceptional when placed in a predictable environment. However, medical care is not something that stays relevant to the existing conditions. Treatment and care must be at its disposal under any circumstances which AI cannot fulfill. Any complex treatment process relies more on tactical and analytical thinking rather than a pre-imposed function with a unilateral direction.

Conclusion:

AI brought revolutionary changes to the table in the healthcare industry. However, nothing can fill the shoes of an experienced, empathetic doctor who sacrifices their own lives to save others. Technology is progress, a sign that indicates good, fruitful days. However, any given technology should tread by the side of the doctor, not before them. Bringing AI and the real doctor together can give birth to many ‘superpowers’ that can aid humanity in solving several complexities. AI integration in every medical corner is feasible, important, and praiseworthy but only when performed under the guidance of the real heroes i.e. doctors.

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