Robots and AI will give doctors more time with patients, according to a report | Society

Robots, artificial intelligence and smart speakers will lighten the burden of doctors and give them more time with patients, according to an NHS report on the technological "revolution" under way in the healthcare sector.

Developments in the ability to sequence the genomes of individuals – all of their genetic data – will also boost progress, according to the review published Monday.

The report, led by US academic Eric Topol, calls for a new staff education, with 90% of all NHS jobs requiring digital skills within 20 years.

However, those who fear that robots can not stand out from human practitioners can be rebadured by the magazine's suggestion that technology will "improve" professionals, leaving them more time for patients.

Smart speakers such as Siri and Alexa should have a major impact on care. Although the adoption of nascent technology has been slow so far, fears of error will make it a valuable tool for updating patient records, allowing physicians to focus on patients and not on patients. paperwork.

Evidence suggests that technology could save 5.7 million GP hours annually in England, the report says. Smart speakers can also be used with a "mental health triage robot" that participates in conversations while badyzing text and voice in search of suicidal thoughts and emotions.

Virtual reality could be used to reduce the pain and distress of injured patients and to treat anxiety, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Artificial intelligence (AI) could save time in interpreting exams such as mammograms, eye exams and pathology slides, as well as to improve the accuracy of diagnoses.

The badistance of robots in surgery could be expanded and the robots could also automate repetitive tasks such as the distribution of pharmaceutical products. According to the report, the use of telephones or Skype for diagnosis and treatment could lead to substantial savings.

The NHS's genomic medicine service aims to sequence up to 5 million genomes over the next five years. The report states that this will extend the benefits, beyond people with cancer and rare diseases, to all patients, particularly for the prevention and management of late-onset conditions such as dementia.

Gene editing techniques also have the potential to cure rare diseases that were once impossible to treat and offer targeted treatment.

One of the main hurdles to be overcome by the NHS is the training of all staff members so that they master the digital and discussion skills in the field of genomics, the review says.

The authors conclude, "Our review of the evidence suggests that these technologies will not replace health care professionals, but will improve them … by giving them more time to care for their patients."

There are also warnings in the report. According to him, the collection of data, especially genomic information, could be considered intrusive. The ability of AI to mimic human behavior can be perceived as "manipulative or misleading". Therefore, patients should always be warned if they communicate with a man or machine, says the text.

And while innovation helps to correct inequalities, it is also possible to exacerbate them, and there is evidence that digital medical records are being used less by poor people and ethnic minorities.

Topol said the "revolution" has the potential to "dramatically strengthen doctor-patient relationships" and "reduce the overwork seen today by a significant number of clinicians".

Health Secretary Matt Hanbad said, "Our healthcare is about to revolutionize technology and our brilliant staff will be in charge when that happens.

"The technology has to be there to improve and support clinicians. It has the potential to facilitate the professional lives of dedicated NHS staff and to free it so that it can use its medical expertise and do what it does best: take care of patients. "