‘AI cannot replace human care’

With more people turning to AI and online searches for medical advice, Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, director of Mahavir Vatsalya Hospital, warns of serious risks from self-diagnosis and treatment. He talks to TOI’s Sheezan Nezami about the dangers and the need for professional medical guidance. Excerpts:
How have artificial intelligence and online searches changed the treatment pattern?
To a great extent. The concept of a family doctor, which existed earlier, has largely vanished. With time constraints and the rise of nuclear families, people increasingly seek shortcut therapies, often relying on AI and other online resources.

How much increase have you seen in self-medication cases since AI became prevalent?
While there is no formal study or data, the increase is tremendous, especially among younger people.

What are the risks involved in self-treatment via AI? How dangerous can it be for health? The risks are enormous. People often take tests based on online suggestions and start medications on their own. Kidney damage from incorrect medicines is a common risk. Another major concern is fake doctors online, many of whom claim credentials from prestigious institutions but are unqualified – essentially online quacks.

AI responses also depend on how questions are framed. I know a woman with stomach cancer who initially relied on online resources that misdiagnosed her condition as a simple lump. By the time she consulted doctors, she was in stage 3, and it was too late to save her. AI can serve as a repository of knowledge, but unlike doctors who continuously update their skills and experience through practice and CME, AI alone cannot guarantee safety. Doctors operate under the principle of ‘first, do no harm’, and guidance from a trained doctor is indispensable.

Why are people, especially the young generation, turning to AI for medical treatment?
Primarily due to easy accessibility and time constraints. Also, some questions are sensitive, and people prefer the anonymity of online consultations.

How can this problem be addressed? Any suggestions for the govt?In a country like India, with a large illiterate and semi-literate population, leaving healthcare decisions to AI alone could be disastrous. The govt should form a committee to regulate the information available online, much like the restrictions imposed on driverless cars.