Medicine is embracing AI in a wide-ranging way, with applications that touch nearly every aspect of healthcare.
Here are some of the key areas where AI is making a difference: improved diagnoses, drug development, personalized treatment, and remote patient care.
In practical terms, a doctor using an AI assistant can analyze a patient’s medical history, identify potential risks, and suggest treatment options. The doctor can then use this information to make a more informed diagnosis.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making computers good at things that usually require human intelligence. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Learning and problem-solving: AI systems can analyze data, identify patterns, and use that knowledge to tackle new problems. For example, an AI system analyzing medical scans might be able to detect abnormalities with higher accuracy than a human radiologist.
2. Automation: AI can automate tasks that are repetitive or require processing large amounts of information. Think of chatbots answering customer service questions or recommendation algorithms suggesting products you might like.
3. Decision-making: AI can be trained to make decisions based on complex data sets. For instance, an AI system might be used to assess loan applications or predict fraud risk.
AI isn’t about robots taking over the world. It’s about using computer power to enhance human capabilities in various fields.
Here are a few examples of the ways AI can assist physicians during board preparation:
Knowledge Access and Organization:
• Search and summarize: AI can quickly trawl through vast amounts of medical literature and educational resources to find relevant information on specific topics or answer focused questions.
• Compile study guides: Tell AI the specific board you’re studying for, and it can help compile a study guide by summarizing key concepts, highlighting high-yield topics, and providing links to credible sources.
Practice and Assessment:
• Generate practice questions: AI can create multiple-choice, short-answer, and case-based questions similar to those found on board exams. It can tailor the difficulty level to your needs.
• Provide explanations: After answering practice questions, AI can explain the correct answers and the reasoning behind them, highlighting common mistakes to avoid.
• Identify knowledge gaps: By analyzing your performance on practice questions, AI can pinpoint areas where you might need to focus your studying.
Additional Benefits:
• Time management: AI can help you create a personalized study schedule that optimizes your time and ensures you cover all the necessary material.
• Stay up-to-date: AI can inform you of recent medical advancements and guideline changes relevant to your board exam.
An AI app that I frequently use is Google Gemini (released on February 8), the new umbrella name for all of Google’s AI tools. Head over to the Gemini website and use the AI there in the typical way you interact with an online chatbot. You’ll be amazed!
The AMA ChangeMedEd initiative and the University of Michigan DATA-MD team have developed a seven-part online learning series that introduces learners to foundational principles in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
Now available:
• AI for Prognostication and Treatment
Other modules in the series:
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Care
• AI in Health Care: Methodologies
However, beware . . . Important Disclaimer:
Artificial intelligence is having a major impact on the world, the field of medicine, and medical education. While AI can be a valuable tool for many things, it’s crucial to remember that it cannot replace traditional study methods or guarantee success on the boards. For comprehensive exam preparation, you should utilize a variety of resources.