Health IT, MedCity Influencers

The rise of artificial intelligence is not the beginning of the end for doctors

What are the limits of cognitive computing? They will never replace the human touch of doctors.

I am often asked by healthcare colleagues what I think will become of doctors when the machines take over. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement across virtually all industries, this is not as implausible a question as it once was.

Recently, the healthcare industry has paid special attention to supercomputers that identify specific treatment approaches for serious illnesses such as cancer. These computers find options that elude even experienced oncologists for whom time and memory are more finite propositions. These technologies can also compensate for a physician’s cognitive biases such as the recency bias, where you are more likely to recall the last case you handled to help guide your next patient’s treatment plan.

Within the industry, the excitement surrounding this concept is palpable. Accenture research points to more than two-thirds of healthcare executives increasing investment in artificial intelligence solutions and machine learning. Concern, however, exists alongside the enthusiasm. Could machines replace doctors? For some, this is a very tangible thought.

My short answer to that question is “no”. Too many patient needs go beyond the simpler realm of processing data, requiring an actual human to address them.

As a former clinician, I know firsthand the critical role that empathy plays in treating serious illnesses. Often, I have found myself caring for a patient as well as their loved ones. Part of practicing medicine boils down to simply being present in the patient’s journey when science has little more to offer. Understanding who patients are, their preferences, their experiences, their hopes and fears are all critical components that bolster effective therapy.

I don’t think we are anywhere near the point where AI can replicate that. Nonetheless, there are places where the implications of advances in emerging technologies are being felt heavily.

Let’s go back to my previous example – cancer – which is not a single disease, but a multitude of diseases that may appear to be the same, but are biologically distinct. In oncology, scientific discovery is progressing rapidly and doctors need help processing it to find the information that they need. AI can bring greater precision to medicine by identifying plans for treatment that the doctor may have missed. At the end of the day, though, it’s still up to the doctor to decide whether a treatment makes sense for a particular patient.

In mental health, SilverCloud, which provides online services for mental and behavioral health treatment, demonstrates another interesting combination of intelligent automation and the human touch. SilverCloud’s online programs are used as full treatments or as a supplement to the work of psychologists and other clinicians. Participants are assigned a dedicated supporter who will monitor progress and exchange in a dialogue (by secure messaging) throughout the patient journey.

The programs allow users to access interactive content across multiple digital platforms anonymously, at a pace that suits their schedule, and they use analytics and clinical measurements to report back on progress. Such flexibility allows the patient to engage in and take charge of their own care, and it helps to supplement the face-to-face work of a psychologist when he or she is not with the patient.

To put it simply, machines can present options. They can create better outcomes and save us money and time. Sometimes they can even treat a patient who wants care but is too embarrassed or reserved to talk to a live person about their concerns. What machines cannot do is make choices that people are willing to trust when their lives are at stake.

In terms of other fears such as the notion that machines could displace the economic position of doctors, I actually see cognitive computing having the opposite effect. As routine tasks are automated more frequently, doctors can spend more time delivering services that society values most. I do have reservations with regard to the strain that this could place on clinicians operating at peak efficiency for full eight-hour days, so the nature of work will likely change as these tools become more widespread. However, in terms of balance, the possibilities for better care and a more economically sustainable system of care are profound.

Technologies such as AI, cognitive computing and intelligent automation are certainly changing the landscape of treatment and care delivery. Like the machines, we too are still learning. As we approach an era where these technologies become more fully integrated, trepidation is to be expected. Fearing the machines comes as a natural response. We must remember, though, not to fear losing the doctors that operate them. The doctors aren’t going away anytime soon.

Photo: Gerard Julien, Getty Images


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Kaveh Safavi

Kaveh Safavi, M.D., J.D. is the senior managing director for Accenture’s global healthcare business. Dr. Safavi is responsible for developing and driving a growth strategy that differentiates Accenture’s offerings for providers, health insurers and public and private health systems across the globe. As a seasoned executive, Dr. Safavi brings more than two decades of leadership experience to Accenture Health.

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