AI is changing healthcare, especially in how we manage lung conditions. It shows great promise in improving the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. AI tools are already helping doctors make better decisions and offer people more personalised care.
How AI can help doctors
AI can help doctors by looking at complex patient information, such as medical histories and test results, to offer support with diagnosis and treatment. An example of this is how AI can help interpret lung function tests or chest X-rays which can lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses.
AI can also help doctors manage long-term lung conditions with regular remote monitoring of patients and adjusting treatment plans when needed. AI will also cover simple tasks, like making reports or setting reminders, so doctors can spend more time caring for their patients.
How AI can help patients
For patients, AI offers new ways to manage their health more effectively. Patients can use AI-powered tools to track their symptoms, make sure they are taking their medication correctly and get advice on how to manage their conditions. AI can also help patients learn about their diseases, offering information in different languages and formats. By giving personalised advice, AI can help prevent flare-ups and improve overall health.
While AI can assist patients with daily management, it does not replace the need for human connection. AI lacks empathy and it cannot understand the emotional and psychological aspects of a patient’s experience. This makes it important for doctors to maintain open communication and support the emotional needs of their patients.
The impact on doctor-patient relationships
AI could change the relationship between doctors and patients. On one hand, AI can improve communication by doing routine tasks, allowing doctors to spend more time with their patients. On the other hand, patients might worry that AI is taking over parts of their care, which could make them trust the system less.
AI may also change the balance of power in healthcare. While doctors usually make decisions, AI could give patients more information, allowing them to have a say in their treatment. However, it’s important that doctors stay open and work closely with patients to ensure they are part of the decision-making process.
Helping to close gaps in healthcare
AI could help make healthcare more accessible, especially in areas where doctors are harder to reach. For example, AI can help healthcare workers in remote places diagnose and treat lung conditions. It can also provide health information in different languages, making it easier for people from different cultures to understand.
However, there are risks. If AI is trained on biased or incomplete information, it could make things worse for some people. For example, if data from poorer or underrepresented groups is missing, AI might suggest treatments that are not suitable for them. Also, not everyone has access to the internet, smartphones or digital skills, which could leave some groups behind.
Conclusion
AI could change the way we care for lung diseases by offering personalised, data-driven advice that improves diagnosis, treatment and self-management. But to make sure everyone benefits, AI must be developed and implemented carefully. We need to consider issues like privacy, transparency and bias. It is important for doctors, patients and technology experts to work together to make sure AI improves healthcare without making inequalities worse.
Read the review: ‘Artificial intelligence in respiratory care: perspectives on critical opportunities and challenges’
