The AI doctor is in: Balancing tech and human touch in healthcare

Artificial intelligence in healthcare. (Courtesy) Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, offering groundbreaking advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. Yet, as AI-driven solutions become increasingly integrated into medical practice, concerns about their implications persist. From predictive analytics to telemedicine, AI is reshaping how healthcare is delivered. At a recent workshop organised by the Kenya Editors Guild on AI's role in healthcare management, experts highlighted AI's potential to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Dr Terry Mochire, Head of Research and Innovation at IntelliSOFT, noted that AI systems can analyse patterns in patients' medical histories and current health data to predict potential risks. "This predictive capability enables health providers to offer proactive, preventive care, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced costs," said Dr Mochire. She explained that AI can be used to support digital communications, offering scheduled reminders, tailored health tips, and suggested the next steps for patients. The ability of AI to aid in health diagnoses also improves the speed and accuracy of patient visits, leading to faster and more personalised care. By analysing patient records, clinical research, and medical expertise, AI can help determine the best course of treatment for a patient and assist doctors in their duties. Dr Mochire further noted that AI in healthcare uses machine learning to analyse medical images such as X-rays and MRIs to diagnose diseases faster and more accurately than human doctors. It integrates data from fitness trackers, sleep monitors, nutrition apps, and medical records to provide a comprehensive view of a patient's health. Productivity and efficiency of AI in healthcare AI can further address issues such as fatigue, information overload, and communication gaps. It acts as a vigilant guardian, freeing up mental space and allowing healthcare providers to deliver high-quality treatment. "AI can help process massive amounts of data that are difficult for humans to analyse at scale, across different modalities like images, audio, free text, genome data, and others," said Paul Macharia, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nairobi. AI, he said, could help save between five to ten per cent of healthcare spending. In medical diagnostics, AI algorithms are trained on vast datasets of patient records and laboratory results. "This enables them to recognise subtle signs of diseases that might be missed by human eyes, ultimately leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses," said Dr Macharia. "AI is already boosting the success of Sustainable Development Goal number 3, which advocates and aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages," added Dr Mochire. The dark side of AI in Healthcare However, AI has its challenges. According to a study, AI tools can generate harmful content that may trigger eating disorders and other mental conditions. Additionally, replacing various medical specialists with AI could lead to unemployment among healthcare practitioners. There is also concern that doctors may become overly reliant on AI, potentially diminishing their critical thinking, clinical judgment, and problem-solving abilities. Other challenges associated with AI include privacy concerns, bias in AI algorithms, decreased human skill development, lack of accountability, security risks, and potential misuse of the technology. "The degradation of the physician-patient relationship and the feared dehumanisation of medicine should not be thought of as an unavoidable consequence of information and communications technology (ICT) usage," said Dr Joseph Aluoch, a medical consultant at Nairobi Hospital. Dr Aluoch highlighted that transitioning from managing acute diseases to managing chronic diseases requires fundamental changes in healthcare service organisation and delivery. He notes that effective management of chronic illnesses requires a close partnership between the patient and healthcare providers. Patients with chronic diseases are personally responsible for their day-to-day care and are often best placed to gauge the severity of their symptoms and the efficacy of any treatment. However, compliance with self-management regimes is often poor. Patients now access information about their conditions online, while doctors use the internet to stay updated on the latest medical advancements, consult with colleagues, and maintain communication with patients. "Patients are increasingly coming to physicians with information from the internet about illnesses and treatments," revealed Dr Aluoch. One of the significant advancements in ICT is telemedicine, which includes telehealth, e-health, and home telecare. "Telemedicine is particularly useful in providing specialist consultations to distant communities. Telehealth incorporates a broad range of health-related activities, including patient and provider education, healthcare administration, and direct patient care," explains Dr Aluoch. Primary remote diagnostic visits, where patients consult virtually with doctors based in other locations, have become a solution to major healthcare challenges in Kenya. ICT has also allowed more patients to be treated at home, reducing hospitalisation expenses. With an ageing population, the cost-effective management of chronic diseases through ICT-supported home care is becoming increasingly vital.

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