Doctors’ Day: Balancing care and compassion in the age of AI

July 1 marks National Doctors’ Day in India, a celebration of the professionals who safeguard the nation’s health. From being key agents of development to acting as valiant first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors have consistently proved their mettle. Today, many are also harnessing artificial intelligence and digital technology to enhance patient care.

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital medicine have existed for years, the pace of technological advancement has sparked renewed debate. How are telemedicine and AI shaping modern healthcare? To understand emerging trends in patient care and data management, Patriot spoke to several medical professionals.

The scope of telemedicine

Telemedicine has vastly improved healthcare accessibility across India. Although it gained momentum during the lockdown, it has remained a popular mode of consultation even after restrictions were lifted. Today, elderly patients, those living in remote regions without specialist care, or individuals seeking quick consultations are all using digital platforms to connect with doctors.

“Those who live far away from clinics, have busy work schedules, or face physical difficulties can now talk to doctors from home,” said Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant for Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. “It’s quick, convenient, and can help with follow-ups or minor issues. But it’s not perfect.”

Dr Vivudh Pratap Singh, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, echoed this view, noting both benefits and limitations. While telemedicine improves accessibility, he pointed out several challenges: limited scope for physical examinations, potential privacy risks, regulatory ambiguity, fragmented care, and the digital divide. “Not all patients are tech-savvy. And if telemedicine is not integrated with the patient’s primary physician, it can result in poor continuity,” he warned.

Dr Tushar agreed, noting, “Some problems need a physical exam, like checking for a swollen joint or listening to your lungs, which isn’t possible through a screen.”

Artificial intelligence: Is it sustainable?

AI has long been used in radiology, where it aids in improving diagnostic accuracy. But is its growing integration sustainable? Many doctors believe it is—if used with caution.

Dr Vinay Aneas, former Head of the Resident Doctors Association at AIIMS and now a professor at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), discussed how AI is transforming both radiology and surgery. “AI in radiology is significant because radiology offers image-based diagnosis. If you go for a CT scan or an MRI, a scan is collected, doctors view it on a console and make a diagnosis,” he explained. However, he added a crucial caveat: “A good doctor will always ask for symptoms, make you fill a form, meet the patient, and correlate the symptoms with the scan.”

To illustrate this, Dr Vinay cited the example of a nodular pattern in the liver visible on a CT scan. This could indicate alcohol-induced cirrhosis, bacterial infection, or viral hepatitis. “That differentiation can only be done through clinical judgement,” he emphasised.

He also discussed AI’s role in surgery, particularly in robotic procedures. “AI is a tool involving pre-information fixing. It gives results based on data and information already provided. It is a helping module, not a replacement,” said Dr Vinay. Referring to a recent “robotic surgery”, he pointed out that while AI was used to locate tumour margins, “the surgery was done by the surgeons only, not the AI.”

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“When the patient is talking about their pain, only a doctor can understand that,” he added. “AI cannot do that, cannot gauge the physiological variations.” He gave the example of a person who had just been running. “If hooked to an AI module, it might detect extreme tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or flutters. But only a doctor will ask the patient what they were doing before the test. AI does not know the person has been running, but a doctor will ask. This judgement is important.”

A supporting role, not a substitute

The doctors Patriot spoke to largely agree that AI should supplement, not supplant, clinical expertise.

“It’s important to use AI with proper care. AI works best when it supports doctors, not replaces them. If we use it the right way, AI can help make healthcare smarter, faster, and more accessible for everyone,” said Dr Tushar.

Dr Vivudh agreed. “AI has got a sustainable future in medicine. It is fast and can simplify complex processes efficiently. It also allows early disease detection and helps establish effective treatment protocols.”

As India honours its doctors on National Doctors Day, their message is clear: while AI may transform the tools of their trade, it is the human mind—and heart—that will continue to guide healing hands.