Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Medicine: Benefits, Risks, and Recommendations. J Emerg Med 2022 Apr;62(4):492-499
Date
02/16/2022Pubmed ID
35164977DOI
10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.01.001Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85124557556 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 19 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) can be described as the use of computers to perform tasks that formerly required human cognition. The American Medical Association prefers the term 'augmented intelligence' over 'artificial intelligence' to emphasize the assistive role of computers in enhancing physician skills as opposed to replacing them. The integration of AI into emergency medicine, and clinical practice at large, has increased in recent years, and that trend is likely to continue.
DISCUSSION: AI has demonstrated substantial potential benefit for physicians and patients. These benefits are transforming the therapeutic relationship from the traditional physician-patient dyad into a triadic doctor-patient-machine relationship. New AI technologies, however, require careful vetting, legal standards, patient safeguards, and provider education. Emergency physicians (EPs) should recognize the limits and risks of AI as well as its potential benefits.
CONCLUSIONS: EPs must learn to partner with, not capitulate to, AI. AI has proven to be superior to, or on a par with, certain physician skills, such as interpreting radiographs and making diagnoses based on visual cues, such as skin cancer. AI can provide cognitive assistance, but EPs must interpret AI results within the clinical context of individual patients. They must also advocate for patient confidentiality, professional liability coverage, and the essential role of specialty-trained EPs.
Author List
Vearrier L, Derse AR, Basford JB, Larkin GL, Moskop JCAuthor
Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Artificial IntelligenceEmergency Medicine
Humans
Liability, Legal
Physician-Patient Relations
Physicians
