Observing AI replacing fundamental professions all around, you might wonder if AI is going to replace doctors as well or will AI replace doctors? Relax! The future isn’t that scary! While AI has the potential to transform the healthcare sector, it cannot fully replace the doctors! Before going into the details, first consider the scenario below:
The year is 2050, and you walk into a primary care facility and find an Alexa-esque device sitting at reception and taking your essential details for an appointment. Then, you walk into a physician’s room and find a similar artificial intelligence device asking your symptoms. It then retrieves the data from your Electronic Health Record (EHR) and prescribes diagnostic tests accordingly.
As convenient as this scenario may feel, it also rings alarm bells for the future of healthcare professionals. It raises the fundamental question: Will AI replace doctors? Will the healthcare industry be in the hands of entrepreneurs rather than healthcare professionals? Relax, the scene cannot get worse! Simply put, AI can replace the healthcare workforce partially, not wholly.
The blog will navigate the role of Artificial Intelligence and its capabilities in taking over the medical industry. It will provide insights on whether will Pharmacists be replaced by AI?
What Do Statistics Have to Say About AI Integration in Healthcare?
In 2022, the global AI in the healthcare market was at a core value of $16.3 billion. However, by 2029, the value will likely grow to $173.5 billion at a CAGR of 40.2%, depicting a promising upgrowth.
According to Kellogg Insights, the rise of AI to prominence in the coming decade is due to the increasing human-machine interaction in the healthcare industry.
Furthermore, a study at Standford University marks artificial intelligence as more successful in diagnosing skin cancer. The computer scientists at Standford University developed a working algorithm utilizing a database of around 130,000 skin disease imaging. To one’s surprise, the diagnostic tests were identical in success to almost 21 dermatologists. This study made a presence in Nature in 2017.
These statistics dictate how will AI replace doctors. What is the core potential of AI in taking the place of a physician? However, many experts believe that this scenario will likely lessen in the future as machines are there to assist humans and not take away their jobs. Moreover, the sections below will unveil why the question: will AI replace doctors is unviable and prove it in negation.
What Do Statistics Have to Say About AI Integration in Healthcare?
In 2022, the global AI in the healthcare market was at a core value of $16.3 billion. However, by 2029, the value will likely grow to $173.5 billion at a CAGR of 40.2%, depicting a promising upgrowth.
According to Kellogg Insights, the rise of AI to prominence in the coming decade is due to the increasing human-machine interaction in the healthcare industry.
Furthermore, a study at Standford University marks artificial intelligence as more successful in diagnosing skin cancer. The computer scientists at Standford University developed a working algorithm utilizing a database of around 130,000 skin disease imaging. To one’s surprise, the diagnostic tests were identical in success to almost 21 dermatologists. This study made a presence in Nature in 2017.
These statistics dictate how will AI replace doctors. What is the core potential of AI in taking the place of a physician? However, many experts believe that this scenario will likely lessen in the future as machines are there to assist humans and not take away their jobs. Moreover, the sections below will unveil why the question: will AI replace doctors is unviable and prove it in negation.
AI’s Potential to Transform Healthcare
First, let’s seek AI’s Potential in transforming healthcare! Is there anything to be worried about, or are we just panicking? Can AI perform any healthcare-related activity, and if yes, then what is the extent of this healthcare delivery?
However, before we move on, let’s explore some healthcare recruitment strategies in 2024 to kickstart the new year correctly.
Let’s resume navigating the possibilities of a standing question: “Will AI replace doctors?”
You will be surprised, but AI is surpassing the surgeons in the field of radiology. Moreover, Prof Geoffrey Hinton said in 2016 that it’s time to stop training radiologists. The reason simply lies in the AI algorithm proving itself better than human interventions in radiology. Moreover, Elliot Fishman, MD, states that many healthcare professionals and AI proponents have made radiology a dinosaur profession in terms of extinction. AI can detect patterns and anomalies better than humans. So, one of the most endangered healthcare professions due to AI integration would be radiologists’.
Some other uses of AI integration into healthcare, as defined by Forbes, are stated below:
- AI-powered Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools can redefine diagnosis and cut healthcare costs by up to 30 percent.
- CDS utilization saved around $1k per patient and generated better patient outcomes.
- Moreover, AI is improving clinical trials by implementing diversity in recruitment and improved operations.
- Additionally, the best thing is speed! Natural Language Processing (NLP) combined with data can process up to 2 million records per hour.
- The healthcare sector needs more supply chain management. However, integrating Predictive models coupled with Machine Learning (ML) will fill this void.
Which Type of Intelligence is Required the Most by a Surgeon?
Talking about AI in healthcare, it is necessary to recognize its implementation in the surgical department. Shortly, surgeons will likely utilize the real-time analysis powers of AI to process decision-making intra-operability. This scenario will use live operation video, vital signs, EMR data, and instrument tracking. This collaboration of meds with AI will likely enhance surgical procedures and avoid adverse events.
However, the question is: which type of intelligence is required the most by a surgeon? Which AI-powered algorithm will likely suit the needs of the surgical procedures?
Experts say that visual-spatial intelligence is the best option for surgeons. The reason is that surgeons need an in-depth spatial awareness to manipulate the correct processes in three dimensions. Surgical procedures require the proper viewing of the internal organs and structures of the patient’s body. Therefore, internal imaging and artificial intelligence help minimize damage and improve surgical efficiency.
Will We See AI in Place of Doctors in Future?
Will AI replace Doctors? This question has been popping up in the minds of many ever since AI started intervening in human practices. It is better to say that AI can replace some healthcare jobs and cannot warn them out thoroughly. Here’s why:
Robots Do Not Have Empathy!
A prediction estimates that the chance of physicians getting replaced by AI is around 0.42%. This small ratio depicts the necessity of humans in the healthcare sector.
Moreover, empathy is a core element of healthcare delivery. It embodies trust, close listening to others’ feelings, paying attention, etc. Combined with a viable healthcare practice, these elements ensure smooth and optimal care delivery. These elements need to be improved in AI-based algorithms.
Additionally, one cannot train AI to gain expert insight into life-threatening conditions. Here, rapid decisions need intervention, which only a human mind can perceive.
The Factor of Compassion
David Dranove, a professor of strategy at Kellogg, states that compassion for communication is a must in healthcare. People are more open to human interactions regarding sensitive topics like healthcare delivery.
Machine learning and algorithms cannot replicate healthcare compassion coupled with empathy. A physician can understand the maestros of the patient’s conditions and land the best solutions based on thinking and experience that are a way thing for the AIs.
AI Can Be Tricked!
You won’t believe it, but there is evidence that one can trick AI well. According to a story detailed by Stat, AI could recognize a tabby cat. However, the machine confused the cat with guacamole due to slight alterations in the algorithm. It is the extent of manipulation.
Now, imagine the same scenario in a surgical department. When surgeons perform critical operations, and some malfunction occurs in the AI algorithm, how disastrous can the situation be? AI will operate on unnecessary operation procedures and wrong organs, which may prove fatal. Therefore, AI is far from a trustability factor for such sensitive scenarios. Thus, the risk of the question “Will AI replace doctors?” falls a bit low again.
The Healthcare Practices are Quite Changing
Consider this scenario: an episode aired on House M.D. Here, they tried to figure out how a boy got poisoned and died. They investigated every possible factor, from food to drugs, but found no explanation. Later investigations revealed that the boy retained a kind of insecticide called phosmet, which he got from the pants bought from a street vendor. The position got slowly incorporated into the skin, and later on contributed to the fatal situation.
Considering the whole scenario, does AI have the slightest chance of detecting this scenario? No algorithm has yet been designed to detect sensitive case techniques that need only human intervention. Additionally, the working methods change rapidly with time and, therefore, are difficult for the robotic systems to incorporate.
Profit Base
A deep analysis of the value chain raises financial concerns. Talking about the US, the medical care system is based on fee-for-service criteria. Considering AI’s potential to reduce overtreatment, the financial system is creating havoc. A consolidated monetary base will ponder questions about the continuation of AI in the healthcare sector as the AI management costs well. Ultimately, this scenario will bring a big question mark on the healthcare delivery sector.
However, before moving on, if you are concerned about whether AI will replace pharmacists, here’s some relief: High-paying pharmaceutical jobs to consider in 2024.
Healthcare Jobs That Will Never Disappear
Despite the rise of AI in the healthcare sector, some healthcare jobs will last long. The threats of the AI replacement could harm them less. These jobs prove well that the risk of the question: will AI replace doctors is lowered further. However, our blog provides insight into healthcare jobs that will never disappear; let’s look.
Psychologist
Due to the nature of human intervention, which is required more in this profession, psychologists are less likely to be replaced by robotic systems.
Dentist
The fear that comes at the thought of something poking your gums and teeth will be elevated with a robotic hand doing so. So, humans are better in this field. It further reduces the risk of “Will AI replace doctors?”.
Surgeons
Although AI may assist surgeons in healthcare delivery, the chances of replacing them permanently fall short. Surgery is a complicated process and requires expert hands to perform it.
Registered Nurses
These experts are less likely to be replaced due to the complexity of their operations. The need to cater to emergencies and manage patients’ health conditions is far from the reach of an AI system. Although AI can assist them well, their chances of being replaced still need to catch up. Therefore, “Will AI replace doctors?” or “Will pharmacists be replaced by AI?” remains a problematic question.
Conclusion
To conclude, this blog answers a fundamental question of the era: will AI replace doctors? The answer is simply in negation. However, talking about job vacancies, there is a trustworthy platform (trusted by healthcare professionals): HealthCareTalentLink (HCTL), where you can find a pool of healthcare jobs that fit your dream aspirations. Join today and avail yourself of the best features on our platform.
