Medical Experts at KGMU Advocate AI for Patient Monitoring, Not Doctor Replacement

During an academic programme held at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow on Sunday, experts strongly emphasized the critical need to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) for patient monitoring and disease screening in medical colleges. They clarified that AI will not replace doctors by any means but will serve as a powerful assistant to enhance healthcare delivery.

AI as a Tool for Analyzing Medical Data

Dr Siddharth Roy and Hetavi Waghela from the department of pediatrics explained that hospitals generate massive amounts of medical data on a daily basis. AI can analyze this data quickly and efficiently, supporting timely clinical decisions, improving patient monitoring, and streamlining treatment planning processes. They stressed that while AI provides valuable insights, all final clinical decisions will remain firmly in the hands of doctors, ensuring human oversight and expertise.

Institutional Integration and Benefits

Former head of pediatrics, Prof Shally Awasthi, highlighted that leading medical institutions such as the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences and Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences will need to integrate AI tools to strengthen patient care. "Better screening and monitoring through AI will significantly improve efficiency and health outcomes," she stated, underscoring the potential for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and resource optimization.

Extending Benefits to Smaller Towns

Meanwhile, head of pediatrics Prof S N Singh pointed out that AI can particularly benefit patients in smaller towns and rural areas. By identifying serious medical cases early, AI can ensure timely referral to higher medical centers, bridging gaps in healthcare access and reducing delays in critical treatments.

AI in Airway Management and Training

In a related event organized by the All-India Difficult Airway Association, speakers discussed how AI can enhance monitoring accuracy and help detect difficult airway cases at an early stage. They noted that simulation training, combined with AI tools, can support young doctors in developing essential skills. Dr Tanmay Tiwari emphasized that AI must work alongside regular medical training to improve healthcare delivery, including in rural areas through decision-support systems and tele-guided expertise.

Key takeaways from the discussions include: