Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come into everyone’s life in one way or another over the past decade. One of the most significant growth areas using this new technology is the healthcare industry. There have been many advancements over the years, and new ways of using it come up every day. These advancements even arrive on the surgical side of a physician’s practice.
Robots empowered with AI have been used to assist surgeons in performing intricate surgeries. These robots limit the amount of human error, which can cause adverse outcomes for the patient. Since robots can be used to get into smaller areas than a surgeon’s hands are able, robots also make the surgery less invasive. Techniques like these allow for faster post-operative recovery and higher patient satisfaction. While robots, at least in the near future, are not going to take over and replace a surgeon’s knowledge and judgment, they will continue to expand the field.
One hurdle to the growth of AI in surgery is patient and physician trust in machines and AI. As it becomes more and more commonplace to see certain operations being assisted by a computer, there will come the point where the type of surgery may be too much for the patient/surgeon to trust the machine.
Another area becoming a hurdle in the AI surgical space is cost. Many hospitals do not have the funds to purchase these robots. Physicians are then faced with a choice: send the patient to another hospital or risk the standard of care and perform the surgery without the AI assist. Not an easy decision, and one that could end up being construed as negligence towards the patient. This could ultimately cause a problem with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and your license. If a problem does arise, Williams & Nickl is here to help you get through that process and back on the right track. Our firm focuses on professional license defense to ensure the Medical Board does not trample your rights, and you have a chance to move on from your past issue.