Artificial intelligence has a role in medicine, and in my PF care

Artificial intelligence (AI) touches many aspects of both our professional and personal lives.

One of the earliest recognitions of AI dates back more than 75 years to when Alan Turing, an English mathematician and computer scientist, pondered the question, “Can machines think?” Today, the answer seems closer to “yes” than ever.

When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, Google searches could be performed in milliseconds, and knowledge on almost any topic was at my fingertips. Predictive text was becoming more common.

But the information we found wasn’t always accurate. Shortly after my diagnosis, my wife, Susan, would burst into tears when I walked into the room, having read something about IPF on the internet that was incorrect. My experiences with erroneous information led me to rely on the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

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There’s value in AI, but proceed with caution

AI technology is advancing rapidly. In my view, it has significant value when used properly. AI learns through an iterative process, consuming large amounts of data to arrive at what it believes to be the best answer to a specific question.

Many smart devices in our homes now include AI features. For example, if you have an Amazon Echo, it likely uses AI, as do many smartphones, thermostats, and even some appliances. The technology is becoming omnipresent.

Proceed cautiously, however. AI platforms will warn you that their content may be incorrect.

But AI can be valuable. I asked a popular AI tool this question: “How is AI best used for patient medical questions?”

It responded: “AI can be a valuable tool for addressing patients’ medical questions by providing accurate, timely, and personalized information. It can help patients better understand their symptoms, explain complex medical terms in plain language, and guide them toward appropriate next steps, such as scheduling a doctor’s visit when necessary. Additionally, AI can assist in monitoring chronic conditions, offering medication reminders, and supplying educational resources tailored to individual health needs. However, it’s important to remember that AI should complement, not replace, professional medical advice from healthcare providers.”

To maximize the chances of success, the initial query should be phrased as a question. The more specific the question, the more concise the answer. The response above provides several good suggestions for how AI can help answer a patient’s medical questions.

A useful tool

Since my bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, I take more than 20 different medications each day. I also read the safety information for every medication I am prescribed, but now I can use Adobe Acrobat, which includes an AI Assistant that summarizes the important points.

Using AI to summarize the medication inserts has been helpful for me. One added benefit of its summary is that it highlights areas to explore with my care team. For instance, one of the medications I take is Jardiance (empagliflozin tablets) for chronic kidney disease, but the medication has side effects and risks for me. Having those summarized is helpful.

If you follow the news, you will likely read or hear about improper or unethical uses of AI. I have highlighted some practical uses for patients with pulmonary fibrosis, but even with the best AI tool, you should always consult your care team. AI will never be a substitute for the advice your team will provide, but by using AI as a tool on our journey, we can make every breath count.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.