What if technology redefined patient care rather than merely improving it? The patient journey is being reshaped in ways we couldn’t have predicted a decade ago. From virtual consultations to remote monitoring, digital innovations have expanded the doctor’s office well beyond its brick-and-mortar roots. However, those developments only hint at how technology can revolutionize patient care. In the operating room, powerful systems that improve precision and provide real-time guidance are gaining traction with surgeons. Rather than replacing the surgeon, they mark a shift toward collaboration between human expertise and machine intelligence and expand what’s achievable in the operating room.
Navigating the future of technology
During surgery, no two cases are exactly the same – but each one offers a chance to learn. In the past, surgeons might have reviewed a laparoscopic video after a procedure to assess what went well and what could be improved. Today’s surgical platforms record rich procedural data, enabling surgeons to reflect on their performance and recognize trends that drive continuous improvement. Artificial intelligence (AI) turns hours of video and sensor data into practical insights that help surgeons improve case by case.
How Artera is Using Agentic AI to Humanize Patient Care
Artera President Tom McIntyre talks about the practical application of AI in healthcare.
According to the American Medical Association, clinicians recognize that AI is already a driving force in healthcare. Almost 70% of physicians surveyed in 2024 indicated they see definite or some advantage to using AI tools, a figure that’s up from 65% in 2023. Although AI provides valuable information, it’s important to remember that this data is based on algorithms – they are “artificial” in nature. Since our goal is to enhance the surgeon’s expertise, AI alone is not enough. Surgeons still need to know how to apply these insights effectively, which is where the idea of Augmented Intelligence comes in.
Augmented Intelligence takes AI’s findings and presents them to the surgeon in a way that assists with decision-making but does not dictate it. Think of Augmented Intelligence as a surgical GPS that provides real-time guidance and highlights critical information during procedures. Just as a car’s navigation system warns of roadblocks ahead, these digital tools can highlight critical anatomical structures, flag potential hazards, and adapt in real-time when unexpected challenges arise. In practice, this can mean fewer missteps, faster adjustments, and more confidence in the moment.
However, the partnership between AI and Augmented Intelligence doesn’t end once the sutures are in place. By capturing information throughout each procedure, intelligent databases provide clinicians with the ability to review their performance and make adjustments over time. By continually refining their skills, surgeons contribute to not only their own technical skills but also the advancement of best practices in surgery.
Surgeons around the world are already using these tools to fine-tune their techniques and gain new clarity during complex procedures. But as these tools become more integral to healthcare, the industry must ensure they are regulated properly and strike a balance between safety and innovation.
The Mechanics of a More Connected Healthcare Ecosystem [Video]
Arbiter’s Anjali Jameson on hospital and payer alignment.
Bridging innovation and collaboration
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation – and it doesn’t earn trust that way either. With rapid advancements on the horizon, breakthroughs are happening both in and outside of the operating room. To build a safer, more adaptive surgical ecosystem, surgery needs more than smart tools. The industry needs smart conversations that challenge assumptions and invite the full spectrum of voices to the table to ensure technology evolves in a way that’s not only clinically sound, but ethically aligned with what patients and providers need most.
Collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the operating system for the future of healthcare. Let’s make sure we’re all plugged in.
Photo: gorodenkoff, Getty Images
As VP of Medical Affairs and Professional Education, Dr. Ed Chekan leads the company’s clinical, training and education, and scientific matters. Prior to joining Asensus, Dr. Chekan held positions in Medical Affairs within Ethicon Endosurgery and Teleflex. He worked as a consultant for several strategic and start up medical device companies where he led training and education programs and developed new products. Dr. Chekan completed his minimally invasive surgery fellowship at Duke University, is certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and holds an adjunctive position within the Duke Department of Surgery.
This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. Anyone can publish their perspective on business and innovation in healthcare on MedCity News through MedCity Influencers. Click here to find out how.