You may have heard the words AI or Artificial Intelligence before, perhaps in a science fiction movie. But now it has become a common thing in our daily lives. When you look at the map on your phone and choose the route with the least traffic, when it recommends a movie you like, or when you talk to an online chatbot, AI is behind it all. Simply put, we call it AI when we use a computer to do tasks that previously required human intelligence.
However, the possibilities that AI technology can offer in the medical field are endless. We are still discovering its full potential. But doctors are already using AI technology to read our medical scan reports, diagnose diseases quickly, make treatment decisions, and discover new drugs.
What is AI? How is it used in the medical field?
Okay, let's simplify things a bit. AI is about giving a computer program (software) a large amount of data (for example, thousands of X-ray images), analyzing that data, and training it to recognize patterns. There's a special name for this called Machine Learning (ML). It's like teaching a child to tell the difference between a dog and a cat by showing them lots of pictures. After a while, the child will recognize a dog they've never seen before and say, "This is a dog." That's how AI works.
In the medical field, these AI programs are trained with thousands of patient CT scans, MRI scans, EKG reports, etc. Then, when given a new patient report, this AI can recognize even the most subtle changes, perhaps even those that the human eye can't see. This is a great help for doctors to diagnose a disease quickly and accurately.
Some major diseases that AI technology can help with
Doctors and researchers are already using AI to diagnose and treat a number of diseases. Let's take a look at a few of them.
Eye damage caused by diabetes (Diabetic Retinopathy)
High blood sugar levels damage the delicate blood vessels in the retina of a person with diabetes. This is the main cause of vision loss in diabetics. There is now AI software called IDx-DR to detect this condition. It analyzes an image of the inside of your eye to see if your eyes are starting to be damaged by diabetes.
Imagine, your family doctor could use this AI to examine your eyes and quickly decide whether or not to refer you to an ophthalmologist. If the disease is detected early, there is a great chance of preventing vision loss.
Stroke
A stroke is a sudden blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain. Time is of the essence . Every second that passes without treatment increases the damage to the brain. Now doctors are using an AI algorithm to analyze CT scan images. As soon as this AI suspects something like a blood clot in the brain, it sends a text message directly to the relevant neurologist. This allows the specialist to quickly review the patient's information, saving valuable time and starting treatment.
Heart Disease
AI also helps in tests to diagnose heart disease.
- Echocardiogram: This is an ultrasound test of the heart. AI software called Caption Guidance can help you get very clear, high-quality ultrasound images of the heart. This is a great help even for a medical professional who does not have much experience with echocardiograms.
- EKG (ECG): This measures the electrical activity of the heart. EKGs, which use AI technology, can detect abnormalities in the heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), before symptoms appear. There are now EKG devices that you can use at home, and even EKG apps that you can download to your phone. But this is very important: Many factors affect the accuracy of these at-home tests. Therefore , you cannot make a diagnosis based on the results alone. If you have any doubts, you should definitely see your doctor for advice.
The contribution of AI technology to cancer detection
Cancer cells are very subtle and can spread throughout the body. Sometimes, they can be missed during a routine checkup. In cases like this, AI is like an extra pair of eyes for the doctor.
| Cancer type | How AI can help |
|---|---|
| Colon Cancer | The AI system, called GI Genius, detects suspicious polyps that the doctor might miss during a colonoscopy and highlights them on the monitor. It also makes a small sound. This is to remind the doctor to pay more attention to that area. However, this does not confirm whether it is cancer, as a biopsy is required. |
| Prostate Cancer | Paige Prostate, an AI software, helps pathologists examine prostate biopsy tissue samples. It can find subtle areas that may be cancerous, areas that the doctor might not notice. The doctor can then examine those areas and combine them with other information about the patient to make a final diagnosis. |
| Wrist Fractures | Because the wrist is made up of many small bones, a fracture may not be clearly visible on an X-ray. OsteoDetect, an AI software, can analyze the X-ray image and identify the location of a fracture and show it to the doctor . |
So will doctors lose their jobs because of AI?
This is a question that many people think about. But the answer to it is, "Never."
AI technology is just another powerful, advanced tool in the hands of a doctor. Just like a doctor uses a stethoscope. AI can analyze data and point out suspicious areas. But the final decision is always made by your doctor, who, after talking to the patient, understanding their medical history, and adding humanity and years of experience, prescribes the right treatment.
AI technology can never provide the humanity, compassion, and trust that are needed in medical treatment. Therefore, AI is not a substitute for doctors, but only an assistant that enhances their abilities.
Take-Home Message
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is a very powerful tool now used in the medical field to diagnose and treat diseases.
- AI technology helps to detect diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and various types of cancer at an early stage and more accurately.
- AI is not a replacement for a doctor, but rather an assistant that enhances the doctor's abilities.
- The final decision and treatment plan for any medical condition will always be made by your doctor based on his knowledge, experience, and personal relationship with you.
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