Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

The active development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in the analysis, diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment. It also improves patient-doctor contact and automatic reporting. Will modern technologies revolutionize the current health care system? This is what you will learn from the article. What is Artificial Intelligence in medicine? In a […]

The active development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in the analysis, diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment. It also improves patient-doctor contact and automatic reporting. Will modern technologies revolutionize the current health care system? This is what you will learn from the article.

What is Artificial Intelligence in medicine?

In a general sense, AI is a field of science that deals with modelling behavior, making it similar to intelligent human actions. This technology is modelled on the neural network of the brain, which uses multiple layers of information – including algorithms, pattern correlation, rules, deep learning and cognitive processing techniques to understand the meaning of analyzed data better. Thanks to this, the machine not only relieves the workload of man but also is not subject to human weaknesses, such as distraction, fatigue, memory deterioration or emotions. Artificial intelligence in medicine is, therefore, a great tool to automate repetitive activities, which take up much time for medical personnel. All you have to do is provide extensive collections of data. In this way, machines learn certain behaviors and can connect variables with diagnostic issues.

In which areas of medicine is AI used?

Modern technology has had a significant impact on every aspect of our lives, and AI is increasingly becoming an integral part of the health care system. The tools based on AI technology can draw valuable information from raw data that can be used in almost every area of medicine, including the development of new drugs, choice of treatments, patient care and financial and operational decisions.

The system based on artificial intelligence developed by Google proved to be as effective in analyzing the results of a mammogram as doctors with many years of experience. In turn, the algorithm developed by scientists from Stanford University learned to diagnose 14 diseases based on X-rays of the lungs within two months and managed to diagnose pneumonia better than radiologists. In turn, the Damo Academy research institute, which belongs to the Chinese Alibaba concern, developed an algorithm for artificial intelligence, which is as effective as 96% in detecting coronavirus infection.

What benefits does AI offer for medicine?

• Patient-centered care

There is no doubt that the influence of artificial intelligence on the analysis of vast amounts of data from the treatment history allow developing automatic procedures to deal with different stages of the disease, to achieve the best possible treatment of the patient. Experts agree that artificial intelligence accelerates the treatment process and, thanks to more modern devices in medical facilities, patients’ recovery is significantly shortened.

• Reducing medical error

The human factor can fail. This applies to the medical records preparation, dosage of drugs or prescriptions. By automating these processes with the help of AI, we reduce the risk of error.

• Improving communication between professionals

The treatment process of patients often requires the involvement of many people. The better access to patient information they have, the faster they will make a diagnosis and start therapy. This is why it is so important to automate the flow of medical records or to be able to suggest the next steps by specialized systems. 

It is important to remember that AI systems in health care always work in real-time. This ensures that the data is always up to date, thus increasing the quality and accuracy of decisions. Read also what is Internet of Medical Things and what are its benefits.