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Letters | AI’s dispassionate gaze could be just what the doctor ordered

  • Readers discuss why worries about AI being unable to provide the human touch in healthcare are overblown, the need for greater digitisation of government and business processes, and an inspiring example of efficiency

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A woman touches a screen on a robot at the outpatient hall of People’s Liberation Army General Hospital in Beijing, China, on March 16, 2017. Photo: Reuters
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No matter where you live, you have probably experienced the frustration of a long wait at clinics or hospitals, especially during long weekends. With the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence, the question naturally arises: can AI take on some medical consultation responsibilities, thereby curtailing wait times?
The debate often centres on whether AI can emulate the empathy, intuition and human connection provided by skilled healthcare providers. The reality, however, is that the fleeting moments we share with our doctors during most consultations often prove inadequate for forging meaningful connections.
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The doctor-patient relationship, meant to be a sacred bond, has been compromised by the demands of efficiency. It is therefore somewhat paradoxical to discuss whether AI could replace an aspect of healthcare that, in many instances, has already dwindled to a near absence.

If the human touch were to be utterly extinguished, it might be advantageous to patients. An overlooked aspect of the AI in healthcare debate is the potential for AI’s dispassionate algorithms to provide a sanctuary where patients can freely share their complete personal narratives. Just as people now turn to Google for answers to their most embarrassing and intimate questions, AI could offer a space for patients to discuss their symptoms, habits and concerns without the fear of judgment often felt under the human gaze.

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Despite the promise AI holds, unresolved ethical dilemmas and issues of accountability suggest that full reliance on AI for medical counsel is still premature and inadvisable. The doctors’ strike in South Korea is a reminder that the medical field, steeped in tradition, has long found adapting to change challenging. Implementing reforms in such a complex system requires careful consideration and a gradual approach.
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