AI’s Impact on Medicine

Looking after my dad in the hospital for a few days, I envision that people in the next 3-4 decades will laugh at how primitive our medical practice is.

When Dad was upset after a few failed trials of catheter insertion, the doctor prescribed another kind of blood pressure med when his blood pressure was high; prescribed Seroguel, an antipsychotic drug that is used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. When Dad reacted to Seroguel with fight-or-flight symptoms, the doctor prescribed sleeping pills. After he regained his peace, I asked to skip these drugs; nurses noted it in the computer, but they still gave them to him every day unless I rejected them on the spot again and again. Surely, the prescriptions went home with him, a 96-yr-old who had only taken low-dose blood pressure meds in the past.

Was this reactive practice in the hospital? I was told this style of practice was rooted in symptom-oriented training, but I have also had family doctors who take a more holistic approach despite the same training.

I also wonder if AI can provide doctors more complete context when treating patients? Or maybe all wearable data can empower patients to advocate for themselves?

Personally, I have high hope that AI can change health care for the better. People will be better informed and able to ask better questions. Doctors will be more accountable for prescribing drugs. Our bodies are interconnected in a dynamic way, and symptom-oriented practice needs to go beyond a static blueprint.

Your thoughts?