In any professional career, we go through various phases, sometimes real and others perceived.

At one point we may have felt cutting edge, an active contributor to the evolution of our profession, an educator or in modern parle an influencer. It is also unnerving to perceive that we might be falling behind in that process.

While try desperately to stay abreast of new skills, research and treatment modalities the most recent challenge we have struggled with, is the acceptance and incorporation of Artificial Intelligence.

Unquestionably in the future AI will touch every aspect of our personal lives, business, security and healthcare. 

Specifically with regards healthcare it has already proven beneficial and in some cases, superior at decision making. It does this based on methodical decision-making, based on predictable outcomes, devoid of the problematic flawed human component. The final decision may ultimately be made by a human, but to proceed contrary to the advice of AI will likely become the subject of much legal and procedural wrangling I fear. 

Fortunately, in our field of clinical practice, there is no immediate risk of such AI oversight, however, it has made inroads into the management and running of clinical practices.

Much of the driving force behind the incorporation of AI into a clinical practice such as ours is driven by the perception of being at the forefront of the profession. State of the art! If you aren’t using digital charting techniques equipped with AI then you are old fashioned and somehow neglectful.

We have given this subject a great deal of consideration in the last few years and researched extensively the real benefits and also the drawbacks.

As far as technology goes we have always been proponents for advanced technology where the benefits are proven by research and outweigh existing treatment or diagnostic modalities. Technology for technology’s sake has no place in our office and medical conferences are packed with high-tech toys to tempt the unwary. Many of these treatment modalities on offer, base their value on projected income generation ahead of clinical outcomes.

The management of digital patient records and the use of that data has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, accessibility is instantaneous, however, the material must be stored in a secure format to prevent unauthorized access and any disruption in the network renders the material inaccessible. Chiropodists and Podiatrists here in Ontario have no direct online access to patient general health records, test results or imagining, thus the real clinical benefits to our patients remain marginal at present. 

Rest assured as advances in clinical technology and AI-enhanced diagnostic capabilities prove their value we will embrace them into our daily practice. Until then we will continue to learn and be guided by the results of clinical research giving advice and offering treatments based on predictable clinical outcomes.

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