Use of Artificial Intelligence (IA) for self-diagnosis and prescription poses significant risk to human life, warn healthcare professionals.
On Doctors’ Day, they
voiced concern over the growing trend of patients depending on Internet search
results even for serious ailments.
They believe that while
there are many advantages of using the Internet, there are no less problems
impacting everyday lives because of it.
Ease in life and
potential risks, both multiplied over the last couple of years, if not more,
with the entry of AI and Machine Learning (ML), which are fast overtaking our
lives, say doctors.
According to them, the
Internet has emerged as a primary source of health information, fuelling a rise
in unsupervised self-medication practices.
AI has introduced a new
facet to this trend, which poses significant risks to human life.
Engaging in such
unchecked behaviour presents grave threats and may result in fatal consequences
if incorrect medications are consumed due to misjudgement.
Potential dangers of
self-medication include inaccurate self-diagnosis and the misuse of
medications, leading to potentially hazardous drug interactions or incorrect
dosages, they said.
AI works based on data
input, and in healthcare data has to be accurate to the last decimal to ensure
perfect diagnosis of the ailment to provide best medication or treatment.
Hundred per cent
accuracy is certainly not possible when it comes to providing data by
non-healthcare practitioners.
“The Internet,
especially AI, is developed and dominated by the western world, especially the
US. Basic information available on AI platforms could be those associated with
the geography and demography of the West.
“Such information may or
may not be suitable to people in India, because the information available will
only be to the closest and not the most accurate,” Dr. Gayatri Kamineni, COO,
Kamineni Hospitals told IANS.
“Dosages matter to
ensure best treatment for any ailment, and if that input is wrongly provided,
the result could be disastrous, even leading to fatalities in certain cases.
“The Internet in general
and AI in particular must be seen as a support function and not as a judgment
to trust blindly,” she said.
Dr B Kishore Reddy,
Chief Ortho Oncologist and Managing Director, Amor Hospital believes that when
someone takes medication without consulting a doctor or medical professional,
he might be choosing the wrong drug.
“Additionally, self-medication
increases your risk of taking an incorrect dose or using drugs for longer than
necessary. And if you take a substance for a prolonged period, your body may
become dependent and need this substance to continue functioning correctly.
“Sometimes patients may feel some short-term relief and may think taking
medication to alleviate symptoms is beneficial. But there is a likely
possibility that such medication could mask symptoms of an underlying medical
condition, and if proper medical guidance is not sought, that underlying
condition could worsen and become dangerous over time.
“Misusing or overusing
medication can also increase the risk of severe medical complications, causing
harmful symptoms, including nausea, convulsions and even death.”
“Internet, especially
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have eased the lives of healthcare
practitioners. We have access to the most advanced treatment protocols, and due
to the ease in communication, the risk of making mistakes has reduced a great deal
in a hospital setting.
“However, this
advancement is controlled and monitored by experts who have decades of
experience in providing best care. It is the combination of experience,
expertise, and Internet, which delivers the best outcome for patients.
“Depending on the
Internet alone, without the experience and the expertise is not advisable at
all,” observed Dr. C. Mallikarjuna, Chief Urologist and Managing Director,
Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU).
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