Doctors are worried as patients rely on AI to prescribe medications

Public Health doctors are concerned about the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence for medical needs and medication prescriptions among Nigerians, warning that such practice could expose patients to serious health risks.

The doctor warned that while artificial intelligence can increase efficiency and provide valuable insights into patient management, it lacks the understanding of individual patient needs that a human doctor has.

The doctors stressed that factors such as medical history, allergies and psychological nuances could greatly influence the effectiveness of treatment, stressing that AI could potentially miss these critical elements, while its potential for algorithmic bias raises concerns about equitable care.

They noted that AI should serve as a complement rather than a replacement, and emphasized the importance of human judgment in ensuring safe and effective patient care.

Recall that the public health doctors under the auspices of the Health Promotion and Education Alumni Association of the Ibadan College of Medicine had warned Nigerians against relying on AI for self-diagnosis and medical prescriptions, saying such practices are for could be harmful to people.

The experts lamented the increasing frequency of people turning to the Internet instead of qualified doctors when it comes to medical care. They warned that medicines prescribed by AI or procured online may not take patients' medical history into account and therefore could do more harm than good.

The president of the association, Dr. Bright Orji, who spoke at the opening of a two-day annual general meeting and scientific conference of the HPEAAICM on “Artificial Intelligence and Innovations in Public Health” in Ibadan, said Al had come to his senses and therefore there was a need for moderation in its use, particularly for consumers and practitioners of public health.

“The reason we want to do this is so everyone knows exactly what to do. One can observe that social media is also misused and abused. Therefore, it is important that in the times we live in today there is a lot of information and of course disinformation,” Orji added.

Some experts who spoke to PUNCH Healthwise warned that while AI has many possibilities that could be exploited, consumers and public health practitioners need to be aware that AI could hallucinate and create something that is not exists.

They warned that individuals should not view Al as omniscient and that it cannot replace professionals.

Tanimola Akande, an epidemiologist and public health professor at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, said it was not advisable to rely on AI to prescribe medicines.

He noted that in addition to the symptoms patients report during a physical exam, there were other signs that the AI ​​could pick up.

Akande said: “It is not advisable to rely on AI for medication prescription.” There are other symptoms of the disease that the patient can report and which are elicited by doctors during the physical examination of the patient that AI cannot provide.

“In addition, AI will not be able to determine the results of any tests or examinations used to make a diagnosis. Physicians also consider many other contextual factors when deciding how best to treat a patient. This cannot be achieved effectively through AI.”

On the possibility of AI offering personalized treatment and prescription, Akande, who is also a former national chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, said: “AI certainly cannot replace doctors in treating patients.”

He pointed out that AI could, however, help provide information that could help treat patients to some extent, but urged people to seek treatment in well-staffed health facilities if sick.

Akande, who heads the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Ilorin, said: “Relying on AI by individuals to treat diseases is inappropriate and can be risky if fully relied on. “

Akande stressed the importance of discouraging patients from using AI for treatment, stressing that consulting a doctor for treatment is the most appropriate means to proceed without crisis and regret.

“To discourage patients from using AI for treatment, extensive health education is needed so that people know the limitations of using AI in treating patients.

“AI is becoming more and more important in modern medicine, but it is still important to be looked after by doctors. If people are sick, they should seek treatment in well-staffed health facilities,” he added.

Reiterating his statement, the President of Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide, Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin, said that while AI offers numerous opportunities, both consumers and public health practitioners must realize that AI can hallucinate and generate information that don't exist.

He said: “We need to be careful that people do not rely on AI instead of healthcare workers because some AI tools can cause hallucinations.” An AI tool could generate a drug that does not exist and the side effects of that non-existent one Describe the medication.”

“To understand this, you have to be a content expert. When using an AI tool, you must have sufficient knowledge to verify its output instead of blindly accepting it.

“The Nigeria Medical and Dental Council will take strong action against doctors who make mistakes due to the use of AI. If a healthcare worker makes a mistake and tries to blame the AI, they will face consequences from the Council.

“We go to medical school to learn how to identify and analyze patient problems, consider multiple solutions, and choose the best option. You cannot delegate this responsibility to the AI. If something goes wrong, you will be held responsible.”

However, Otolorin noted that many quacks are now using AI, just as there have always been those posing as medical professionals.

“They exist in all areas, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists. Patients also need to be careful; Some now consider Google their doctor.

“If you rely on Google for medical advice, you will have to face the consequences, especially in a country where you can buy any medicine without a prescription,” he added.