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We are, I believe, at the cusp of another rapid acceleration in the evolution of healthcare.
Over the past decade we saw the rise and application of many technologies that transformed both medical research and clinical practice. Think for example at robotic surgery, remote patient monitoring, advanced diagnostics and gene editing.
The use of generative and agentic AI has now the potential to bring an even bigger revolution to the way healthcare works. I see it doing this not by replacing older technologies, but by bringing them together and allowing them to be used in a more efficient and coordinated way than ever before.
This is not to say that AI will not bring its own groundbreaking discoveries, but right now I see it AI as a most useful helper, an extremely well trained colleague that can take off a lot of administrative burden from clinicians and support them in their decision making by providing insights on a patient’s condition that would otherwise require a multidisciplinary team meeting.
To those worried that it will replace healthcare professionals, my belief is that the core of our profession, empathy, ethical reasoning, human touch and comfort are things fundamentally irreplaceable by any machine.
AI can speed up triaging, interpret diagnostics results, spot unusual and rare patterns, but also simplify routine tasks such as prescription writing, note taking and suggest prioritisation for clinics, procedures and follow ups based on a live review of patient notes.
It certainly brings a wave of hope. However, depending on its application, this technology will also create entirely new and complex legal, regulatory, and ethical issues, as well as the requirement for new safeguards and second line of protection for both patients and staff.
Be careful of over reliance on these systems, use them critically, don’t blindly accept their suggestions. Keep your clinical acumen trained and use AI as the great tool it is. Remember, as things stand, your final liability lies with the clinician not the tool.
MDS is working with regulators and other medical defence organisations to find ways to prevent the new legal conundrums that the new technology will bring, but most importantly, to be ready to assist our members when, not if, a case involving AI use is coming our way.
Remember, no matter how advanced the technology becomes, our advisory team is always here to shield and support you.
Dr Joydeep Grover
Medical Director, MDS
