Does AI pave the way for medical transformation?????

Dear Readers,

Double Helical has been making a difference in the lives of the socially and economically disadvantaged groups through raising awareness as well making voluntary contributions in the areas of education, health, human rights and social services.

We find it immensely satisfying every month to present to you a wide range of interesting, in-depth and analytical stories pertaining to the latest trends and advancements in the world of healthcare. We hope you would derive the same value and substance after reading the current issue of Double Helical.

In this current issue we highlight the growing trends of “Artificial Intelligence” which is being considered as the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.

In recent past we brought AI into the mainstream through widespread familiarity with applications of Generative Pre-Training Transformer. The most popular application is Open AI’s ChatGPT.

The widespread fascination with ChatGPT made it synonymous with AI in the minds of most consumers. However, it represents only a small portion of the ways that AI technology is being used today.

The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. A subset of artificial intelligence is machine learning (ML), which refers to the concept that computer programs can automatically learn from and adapt to new data without being assisted by humans. Deep learning techniques enable this automatic learning through the absorption of huge amounts of unstructured data such as text, images, or video.

As experts believe that any technological advance has its teething troubles. Modern technology may be presently facing this. AI and Machine Learning while they seem threatening to most actually bring us hope. Provided they are used appropriately and optimally. While they may seem disruptive in the short run, in the long run they can make medical care more humane. Future developments in Undoubtedly, AI and Machine Learning may bring back the past when the physician’s empathy, communication skills and personal attention to the patient contributed to the healing process.

Doctors using AI and Machine Learning tools will be spared from the mundane tasks which take up most of their time presently. For example, AI enabled voice and image recordings will make Electronic Health Records extinct. This will offer physicians the gift of time which if properly used can revive the presently fragile doctor-patient relationship. They will have time to communicate better with their patients.

Apart from this we also highlight outstanding of contribution of world fame Dr S K Sarin who has credited globally to give a huge number relevant and new protocol for the management of patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. His recent contributions in the field of liver regeneration using growth factors has a great potential for patients with advanced liver disease and liver failure so as to provide options of transplant free survival. His outstanding contribution to develop 17 major treatment guidelines, including spearheading five major Asian Pacific Treatment Guidelines in Liver diseases; are being widely quoted and practiced.

The problem of liver disease was always there. Even in 2000 BC there were no worship of god and goddess in the temples. The liver was only kept. There was great importance of liver in Babylonians times. Because people knew that liver is the centre of the body. Heart was only discovered 400 to 500 years ago. Liver is sheet of your body as pillar. This is also largest and very tolerant organ of the body. So if you are not careful about your liver than it becomes worse. Lot of times what you eat and what you drink, liver can tolerate but after a while it revolts.

Today intake of alcohol has become most socially accepted poison. Alcohol is very important cause of liver disease. Alcohol consumption has increased across all social, age and gender groups. Awareness about alcohol consumption is of paramount importance in preventing liver disease. Lack of self help groups and social stigma in approaching them prevents people in need of help from coming out in open. We need a massive public awareness campaign to educate people about safe and responsible alcohol consumption.

Fatty liver is a condition usually picked up incidentally on routine ultrasound and investigation for deranged liver function tests. It is a slowly progressive disease but in a significant number of subjects can lead to liver cirrhosis over years to decades. The most common causes for fatty liver are obesity and diabetes.

There are many more stories based on deep analysis and expert viewpoints. We hope you will enjoy reading such topical stories and encouraging us with your feedback to enable us to further improve your favourite magazine.

Thanks and regards

Amresh K Tiwary,
Editor-in-Chief