In this Padlet wall, I will explore three specific examples of AI applications present in healthcare: OpenEvidence, a tool used to assist healthcare workers in making clinical decisions; Qure.ai, a tool used to interpret medical imaging and help provide diagnoses; and Medtronic’s Hugo™ RAS system, a robotic-assisted surgery tool that uses AI to improve precision in surgical procedures. Furthermore, I will analyze the benefits and limitations associated with each tool and how that affects their overall impact on healthcare. In addition, I will examine the future trends and potential developments of AI in healthcare, focusing on ethical concerns such as data privacy and embedded biases. I will also explore the societal impacts of utilizing AI in healthcare, highlighting the impact on employment and equity within the industry.  

As someone going into the healthcare industry it is important for me to understand how AI is influencing and transforming the field. These technologies are likely examples of what I may encounter in the future, so I need to understand how they work and how to use them effectively.

This AI platform is designed to assist healthcare professionals with point-of-care questions by taking information from trusted and peer-reviewed sources⁸. It primarily uses large language models to interpret clinical information and recognize critical insights. Additionally, it combines machine learning and natural language processing to analyze medical literature and patient data. It is highly accurate and quick to answer questions, saving time and uncovering patterns or key details that may otherwise be missed⁹. However, many healthcare workers are hesitant to fully trust this without human oversight as it has the potential to relay false information which can lead to a misdiagnosis⁴.

OpenEvidence Image

Personal Insights:

I find this tool to be very interesting as it can cut the time needed to pinpoint a problem or answer a question in half. Additionally, it provides highly accurate answers as seen in a case where the tool delivered the proper treatment advice for a patient with hypertension⁴. While I find this to be a fascinating tool, it is counterintuitive in healthcare. The healthcare professionals that this is targeted to already contain the knowledge and skills needed to make these decisions, so there is no need for them to rely on AI for answers they already know. Furthermore, I believe it would be harmful to allow medical students access to this tool as they may become overly dependent on AI for advice when they start to practice in the healthcare industry. 

Qure.ai is an AI tool that possesses an advanced set of algorithms that can automatically interpret medical imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs¹. It utilizes the technology of machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing to achieve this¹². Additionally, this tool allows for faster patient diagnoses and enables healthcare professionals to treat higher priority patients more effectively. Furthermore, it is very versatile and quick to adapt, meaning it can be applied to any healthcare setting with minor difficulties¹. There is fear that the tool may have bias embedded in the algorithm which influences its diagnostic process¹².

Qure ai Image

Personal Insights:

I find this tool to be extremely interesting as it can quickly decipher medical imaging which takes doctors years of training and practice to achieve. Furthermore, it does so with high precision and accuracy. I believe that this tool has amazing potential in the healthcare industry as it improves workflow and overall patient care. It can be especially impactful in underdeveloped countries that lack an abundance of well trained healthcare professionals as it can help fill in any gaps in diagnostic services and ensure all patients are well taken care of.

This AI tool is a modular system used to assist healthcare professionals in minimally invasive surgeries. It builds off of the Da Vinci platform by integrating AI technology, including machine learning and deep learning to analyze key surgical procedures and provide real-time feedback. This system provides greater precision and control in surgery, allowing for more accurate procedures and reduced risk of errors⁵. Additionally, it promotes surgical training by providing performance analytics. However, there are many challenges with this system as it is still undergoing clinical trials in multiple countries such as the United States, which limits its accessibility within healthcare⁷.

Hugo RAS System Image

Personal Insights:

I think this AI technology is very fascinating as it can understand the complexities of surgery through algorithms which takes doctors years of school to understand and even more years of practice to master. I think it has the potential to significantly help surgeons as it is very precise with its movements and can even provide real time feedback which leaves less room for error. However, I think this tool needs extensive testing before it is released for clinical use as there are many risks involved when such tools are in direct contact with patients.