The Limits of AI in Healthcare: Why a Doctor’s Touch Still Matters
A recent case highlighted the dangers of delaying medical attention: a patient with a severe gastric ulcer, elaborate by hemorrhagic issues, faced a significantly more challenging treatment due to a delayed hospital visit.The doctor emphasized that earlier intervention would have simplified the process, but the ulcer had deepened in the interim. This case underscores a growing concern – the potential for individuals to rely on artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT in place of professional medical advice.
While ChatGPT boasts a vast knowlege base and rapid response times, experts are clear: it is indeed not a substitute for a qualified physician. “ChatGPT should only be considered as an initial source of data and cannot replace the medical exam,diagnosis or treatment,” states Dr. Manh.A proper medical diagnosis requires a complete approach – clinical examination, laboratory tests, and a detailed understanding of the patient’s individual medical history. Even seemingly straightforward treatments, like those for erectile dysfunction, demand careful consideration. Doctors must assess a patient’s cardiovascular risk before prescribing PDE-5 inhibitors, as these medications can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure. Dosage, timing, and frequency of use must be tailored to the individual and closely monitored.
The limitations of AI extend beyond simply prescribing medication. Dr. Artie Shen, from the University of New York’s Center of Data Sciences, points out that while AI can generate diagnoses, users frequently enough lack the foundational knowledge to understand the reasoning behind them. Dr. Keith Horvath, of the United States Medical Faculties Association, adds that AI struggles to match the adaptability and adaptability of human doctors in complex, evolving situations. Doctors can respond to changing conditions in a way that is currently difficult to program into a computer. Research published in PLOS One confirms this, showing ChatGPT’s diagnostic accuracy to be only 49%.Furthermore, crucial aspects of patient care, like empathy, are beyond the reach of AI. Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, vice president of the Association of Infectious Diseases of Ho Chi Minh city, illustrates this with the example of a patient requiring palliative care for terminal cancer. In these situations, a doctor’s understanding and compassion are vital for providing psychological support and ensuring a peaceful end-of-life experience – something a machine cannot offer.
AI also falls short in fundamental physical examinations. Dr. Ngo Quang Hai, former deputy director of the High Technology Center of acupuncture, notes that AI cannot take a pulse, examine a throat, or listen to a patient’s heart and lungs. This limits it’s evaluation to a general level. He emphasizes the importance of early detection, a cornerstone of both Eastern and Western medicine, stating that delaying treatment allows diseases to progress from mild to severe, making them significantly harder to address.
Experts universally advise caution when seeking health information online. They urge individuals to critically evaluate information and avoid placing their health in the hands of “mindless machines.” If symptoms persist for one or two weeks, seeking the advice of a qualified medical professional is strongly recommended.
