Educators in Medicine,
In this newsletter, we continue our journey through the fundamentals of AI, its applications in medicine, and its transformative role in faculty development and education. Let’s dive into learning.
1. AI 101 - A Primer on Artificial Intelligence
Hello again! I apologize for the delay in this latest post; life has been bustling with family celebrations, including welcoming a new niece, and pressing work commitments. However, the timing seems perfect given the monumental announcement from OpenAI about GPT-4o—where "o" stands for omni, their latest iteration in publicly accessible large language models (LLMs).
This version introduces groundbreaking capabilities, particularly in integrating audio and video, enhancing response times and overall interaction fluidity. Now, interactions can be truncated for more natural conversational flow, mimicking human-like exchanges more closely than ever before.
On May 14th, I participated in the AHRQ Clinical Decision Support Innovation meeting. The discourse around AI’s influence on our thought processes and lifestyle was poignant, underscored by a notable slide from one of the speakers. It addressed the growing concerns and even resistance, highlighted by nurses striking against AI implementations in clinical settings. It's clear that AI's role in clinical decision support is evolving and will significantly impact our professional practices.
One speaker boldly claimed, “any physician who could be replaced by a computer, should be replaced by a computer.” While no technology can substitute the genuine connections and support we provide our patients, it's an intriguing perspective on the future of medicine.
2. AI in Education
Please take a moment to view the latest update from OpenAI here. In this clip, you'll see how ChatGPT can now assist in solving linear equations using your smartphone's camera. This capability to interact with and coach students real-time could revolutionize educational methodologies at all levels.
Pardon the poor quality screenshot of their screen share. The forthcoming desktop application will extend these capabilities to 'see' and analyze data directly from your computer screen, raising possibilities for interpreting complex data, such as patient expressions and sentiments during consultations.
In my opinion, the overarching challenge will be building and maintaining trust —how patients view doctors utilizing AI? And how do educators feel about AI to train medical learners? These are some critical considerations moving forward.
3. What Can I Do Now?
Consider this: a study by Google’s Gemini project explored AI’s role in diagnosing skin lesions. The AI system engaged in a dialogue, asking clarifying questions to refine therapeutic options based on patient inputs. This exemplifies how informed patients are becoming and their expectation to be actively involved in their healthcare decisions. As physicians, our role isn't to gatekeep but to ensure collaborative, patient-centered care.
Surely you remember the age-old mug, but I’m not sure if we can be as dismissive of patient suggestions today with all they have access to. My encouragement to you as physicians - keep the patient at the center of the conversation. It isn’t us vs them, but reminding patients (and ourselves) that we’re on the same team, with their care in mind. Disagreeing with the LLM is still possible, don’t quit thinking yet!
A Case Study in AI-enhanced Triage
So - here is an interesting scenario that was recently studied and I found inspiring.
Imagine being summoned to the ER to evaluate two patients simultaneously, with minimal initial information available. Which one do you see first? A recent JAMA study explored how AI can assess preliminary ED documentation to prioritize patient care effectively.
Intriguingly, the LLM's assessments were more accurate than those of the physicians reviewing the same documents.
This case study illustrates AI's potential not as a replacement for human judgment but as an augmentation tool, enhancing our decision-making in critical situations.
In my thoughts, LLMs still cannot replace human judgment completely, but again, will augment it.
As always - get in touch and let me know your thoughts!
Thank you for joining us on this adventure. Stay tuned for more AI insights, best practices, and more future editions of AI+MedEd.
For education and innovation,
Karim
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