The health care world is a hub for new technology, evolving procedures and advancements in the treatment of illnesses, so it is no surprise that medical practices and hospitals are using artificial intelligence, or AI, in new ways.
From improved communications between patients and doctors to streamlined billing, AI has become a mainstay in medicine — and its use is only projected to grow. This should come as no surprise as AI promises to produce better patient interactions and clinical outcomes.
With the need for diverse expertise in data analysis, diagnosis and treatment applications, anesthesiologists are well-positioned to guide the way AI is developed and used in a clinical setting. To start, anesthesiologists interface with patients throughout their health care journey. They serve as patient advocates before, during and after a surgical procedure, extending beyond the period when anesthesia is required. They understand patient anxieties and questions, they identify gaps in patient satisfaction and they take a person-centered approach to care.
Through AI, a vast array of patient care pathways can be considered before treatments are administered — patterns can be identified and models can be shaped to aid in optimized delivery of personalized care. Anesthesiologists are accustomed to working with large amounts of varied health data and often have technical training beyond their medical training, providing unique insights into opportunities AI solutions can address.
Further, anesthesiologists interact with nearly every specialty in the hospital system. Their broad view of different specialties primes them to lead the ways in which AI can ensure integrated care delivery. Anesthesiologists also oversee care in numerous locations within the hospital, including the data-rich environments of operating rooms and intensive care units. Their insight into clinical and operational aspects of diverse kinds of care within a facility is an essential aspect of developing meaningful AI.
In the operating room, anesthesiologists are continuously processing patient vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and breathing parameters and creating accurate medical pictures of what is happening to the patient. In the event of an emergency or a change in a patient’s status, anesthesiologists are responsible for making rapid, life-saving decisions to stabilize patients under anesthesia.
Anesthesiologists should be involved in the creation of AI as a technological partner. Through their expertise, AI could be crafted to alert physicians to underlying anomalies and advance patient safety. In addition, AI can enhance the delivery of physician expertise in scenarios where quick decision-making is required.
AI is neither a replacement for the patient-clinician relationship nor a substitute for the expertise and training of medical professionals. However, it can be a tool to enhance these elements of patient care and lead to better outcomes and satisfaction.
The unique role of anesthesiologists in patient advocacy and safety and their wide-ranging experience working across specialties puts them in the best position to lead the charge on AI’s ongoing implementation in health care.