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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health professionals' skills to detect benign tumours drop after using AI for 3 months, study finds
New Delhi: Frequent reliance on artificial intelligence may lead to the risk of losing skills, as indicated by a study that discovered a 20 per cent decrease in the ability of experienced health professionals to detect benign tumour growths in colonoscopies when not using AI. Researchers from Poland, Norway, Sweden, and other European nations examined more than 1,400 colonoscopies - approximately 800 were conducted without AI assistance, while 650 utilised AI during the procedure. A colonoscopy is used to inspect the large intestine, encompassing the colon and rectum, for disease. The study compared colonoscopies performed three months prior to and following the integration of AI. Three months after becoming reliant on AI for support, the detection rate of adenomas -- a non-cancerous tumour -- during standard colonoscopy decreased significantly from 28.4 per cent before to 22.4 per cent after exposure to AI, the authors stated in their study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal. While studies have shown that using AI can help doctors and clinicians in improving cancer detection, the study is the first to "suggest a negative impact of regular AI use on healthcare professionals' ability to complete a patient-relevant task in medicine of any kind," author Marcin Romanczyk, Academy of Silesia in Poland, said. "Our results are concerning, given that the adoption of AI in medicine is rapidly spreading. We urgently need more research into the impact of AI on health professionals' skills across different medical fields," Romanczyk said. Author Yuichi Mori from the University of Oslo, Norway, said the results posed "an interesting question" related to previous trials, which found that an AI-assisted colonoscopy allowed for a higher tumour detection, compared to one that did not use AI's help. "It could be the case that non-AI-assisted colonoscopy assessed in these trials is different from standard non-AI-assisted colonoscopy as the endoscopists in the trials may have been negatively affected by continuous AI exposure," Mori said. The authors emphasised the necessity for additional research to comprehend the dynamics involved when healthcare professionals and AI systems are not effectively synchronised. In a commentary article related to the research, Dr Omer Ahmad from University College London, who was not involved in the study, said the findings "temper the current enthusiasm for (a) rapid adoption of AI-based technologies." The results provide the "first real-world clinical evidence for the phenomenon of deskilling, potentially affecting patient-related outcomes" and "highlight the importance of carefully considering possible unintended clinical consequences," Dr Ahmad said. "Although AI continues to offer great promise to enhance clinical outcomes, we must also safeguard against the quiet erosion of fundamental skills required for high-quality endoscopy," the author added.>
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Health professionals' skills to detect benign tumours drop after using AI for 3 months, study finds
Frequent reliance on artificial intelligence may lead to the risk of losing skills, as indicated by a study that discovered a 20% decrease in the ability of experienced health professionals to detect benign tumour growths in colonoscopies when not using AI. Researchers from Poland, Norway, Sweden, and other European nations examined more than 1,400 colonoscopies — approximately 800 were conducted without AI assistance, while 650 utilised AI during the procedure. A colonoscopy is used to inspect the large intestine, encompassing the colon and rectum, for disease. The study compared colonoscopies performed three months prior to and following the integration of AI. Three months after becoming reliant on AI for support, the detection rate of adenomas -- a non-cancerous tumour -- during standard colonoscopy decreased significantly from 28.4 per cent before to 22.4 per cent after exposure to AI, the authors stated in their study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal. While studies have shown that using AI can help doctors and clinicians in improving cancer detection, the study is the first to "suggest a negative impact of regular AI use on healthcare professionals' ability to complete a patient-relevant task in medicine of any kind," author Marcin Romanczyk, Academy of Silesia in Poland, said. "Our results are concerning, given that the adoption of AI in medicine is rapidly spreading. We urgently need more research into the impact of AI on health professionals' skills across different medical fields," Romanczyk said. Author Yuichi Mori from the University of Oslo, Norway, said the results posed "an interesting question" related to previous trials, which found that an AI-assisted colonoscopy allowed for a higher tumour detection, compared to one that did not use AI's help. "It could be the case that non-AI-assisted colonoscopy assessed in these trials is different from standard non-AI-assisted colonoscopy as the endoscopists in the trials may have been negatively affected by continuous AI exposure," Mori said. The authors emphasised the necessity for additional research to comprehend the dynamics involved when healthcare professionals and AI systems are not effectively synchronised. In a commentary article related to the research, Dr Omer Ahmad from University College London, who was not involved in the study, said the findings "temper the current enthusiasm for (a) rapid adoption of AI-based technologies." The results provide the "first real-world clinical evidence for the phenomenon of deskilling, potentially affecting patient-related outcomes" and "highlight the importance of carefully considering possible unintended clinical consequences," Dr Ahmad said. "Although AI continues to offer great promise to enhance clinical outcomes, we must also safeguard against the quiet erosion of fundamental skills required for high-quality endoscopy," the author added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
New study warns! Routine AI use may affect doctors' tumor diagnostic skills by 20%
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, offering tools that improve early disease detection, diagnostic accuracy, and treatment planning. AI-assisted systems can help clinicians identify conditions such as pre-cancerous growths or subtle anomalies that might be missed otherwise, boosting patient outcomes and overall clinical efficiency. However, recent research highlights a potential downside: excessive reliance on AI may lead to skill erosion among healthcare professionals. Even experienced doctors who regularly use AI tools may find their independent decision-making and observational abilities decline over time. AI has the potential to transform medicine, improve patient outcomes, and streamline healthcare workflows. However, the recent study serves as a reminder that over-reliance on technology can erode critical skills, even among experienced doctors. A balanced approach—where AI supports rather than replaces human judgment—is essential for sustaining both high-quality patient care and professional expertise. Doctors' ability to spot pre-cancerous growths declines when AI is removed A recent study in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology , investigated how AI impacts colonoscopy performance. The researchers found that AI assistance enabled doctors to detect pre-cancerous growths in the colon more effectively, potentially preventing progression to colorectal cancer. However, a concerning trend emerged: when AI support was removed, doctors' ability to detect tumors dropped by approximately 20%, even compared with rates recorded before AI introduction. This suggests that clinicians may unconsciously rely on AI cues, reducing their independent observational skills. Global adoption of AI in healthcare systems Healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly investing in AI technology. AI is being positioned as a tool to boost diagnostic accuracy, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance patient safety. For instance, in 2025, the British government announced £11 million (S$19 million) in funding for a trial exploring how AI can facilitate earlier breast cancer detection. While AI offers promising benefits, these developments highlight the importance of maintaining human expertise alongside technological advancements. Doctors losing skills due to AI dependence: Here's what the study found The study revealed that AI can inadvertently encourage over-reliance, even among highly skilled clinicians. According to the research paper, AI support can result in doctors becoming less motivated, less focused, and less responsible when making decisions independently. The researchers studied four endoscopy centers in Poland, comparing colonoscopy detection rates three months before and after AI implementation. The procedures were randomized: some were performed with AI guidance, others without. The difference in detection rates highlighted the risk of skill erosion caused by dependency on AI tools. AI can reduce tumor detection skills in expert doctors Interestingly, the study participants were 19 highly experienced doctors, each with over 2,000 colonoscopies completed. Despite their expertise, AI still affected their ability to detect tumors without assistance. Professor Yuichi Mori, one of the study authors from the University of Oslo, warned that skill degradation could worsen as AI becomes more sophisticated. Dr. Omer Ahmad, a gastroenterologist at University College Hospital London, added: 'Although AI continues to offer great promise to enhance clinical outcomes, we must also safeguard against the quiet erosion of fundamental skills required for high-quality endoscopy.' He noted that the effect could be more pronounced for trainees or novice doctors, who might become overly dependent on AI before mastering essential diagnostic skills. Excessive AI use may reduce brain engagement and focus; study reveals Concerns about over-reliance on AI extend beyond healthcare. A 2025 MIT study found that students using OpenAI's ChatGPT to write essays demonstrated less cognitive engagement and brain activity, illustrating how AI can unintentionally reduce critical thinking skills. These findings underscore the need for balanced AI integration—leveraging AI's advantages while ensuring that human expertise and cognitive abilities remain intact. Strategies to maintain skills while using AI To mitigate skill erosion, healthcare professionals and institutions can adopt several strategies: AI as a support tool, not a replacement – Use AI to assist decisions while maintaining independent judgment. Regular performance monitoring – Track detection accuracy with and without AI to identify skill gaps. Structured training rotations – Alternate between AI-assisted and manual procedures to preserve proficiency. Active critical thinking – Encourage clinicians to question and evaluate AI suggestions rather than blindly following them. Continuous education – Reinforce fundamental diagnostic skills through workshops and refresher courses. By implementing these measures, healthcare systems can maximise AI's benefits while safeguarding essential clinical competencies. The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Also Read | 6 oral symptoms warning you about underlying health risks from diabetes to heart diseases
NDTV
4 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
AI Eroded Doctors' Ability To Spot Cancer By 20%: Study
Artificial intelligence, touted for its potential to transform medicine, led to some doctors losing skills after just a few months in a new study. AI helped health professionals to better detect pre-cancerous growths in the colon, but when the assistance was removed, their ability to find tumors dropped by about 20% compared with rates before the tool was ever introduced, according to findings published Wednesday. Health-care systems around the world are embracing AI with a view to boosting patient outcomes and productivity. Just this year, the UK government announced $14.8 million in funding for a new trial to test how AI can help catch breast cancer earlier. The AI in the study probably prompted doctors to become over-reliant on its recommendations, "leading to clinicians becoming less motivated, less focused, and less responsible when making cognitive decisions without AI assistance," the scientists said in the paper. They surveyed four endoscopy centers in Poland and compared detection success rates three months before AI implementation and three months after. Some colonoscopies were performed with AI and some without, at random. The results were published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal. Yuichi Mori, a researcher at the University of Oslo and one of the scientists involved, predicted that the effects of de-skilling will "probably be higher" as AI becomes more powerful. What's more, the 19 doctors in the study were highly experienced, having performed more than 2,000 colonoscopies each. The effect on trainees or novices might be starker, said Omer Ahmad, a consultant gastroenterologist at University College Hospital London. "Although AI continues to offer great promise to enhance clinical outcomes, we must also safeguard against the quiet erosion of fundamental skills required for high-quality endoscopy," Ahmad, who wasn't involved in the research, wrote a comment alongside the article. A study conducted by MIT this year raised similar concerns after finding that using OpenAI's ChatGPT to write essays led to less brain engagement and cognitive activity.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Routine AI use may lead to loss of skills among doctors: Lancet study
Artificial intelligence is not only eroding cognitive ability of causal users. A recent study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology has offered clinical evidence that regular use of AI tools can lead to loss of essential skills among healthcare professionals. This raises urgent concerns about the wide adoption of AI in the healthcare space. While earlier studies showed de-skilling owing to use of AI as a theoretical risk, the latest study shows real-world data that may potentially demonstrate de-skilling owing to use of AI in diagnostic colonoscopies. 'This would have implications for other areas of medicine as any de-skilling effect would likely be observed more generally. There may be a risk that health professionals who get accustomed to using AI support will perform more poorly than they originally did if the AI support becomes suddenly unavailable, for example due to cyber-attacks or compromised IT systems,' Dr Catherin Menon, principal lecturer at University of Hertfordshire's Department of Computer Science, was quoted as saying by Science Media Centre. Menon told the publication that while AI in medicine offers significant benefits such as improved diagnostic rates, the new study suggests that there could be risks that may come from over-reliance on AI. According to Menon, just like any technology AI can be compromised too making it important for health professionals to retail their original diagnostic skills. She warned that if not cautious, there would be a risk of poorer patient outcomes compared to before the AI was introduced. What does the study say? The study essentially says that routine AI assistance may lead to loss of skills in health professionals who perform colonoscopies. The observational study which was conducted across 1,400 colonoscopies found the rate at which experienced health professionals detect pre-cancerous growths in the colon in non-AI assisted colonoscopies decreased by 20 per cent several months after the routine introduction of AI. While numerous studies have suggested that AI assistance may help doctors identify some form of cancers, this is the first study to suggest that use of AI could lead to a reduction in the ability of medical professionals and impact health outcomes that are important to patients. Highlighting the limits due to the observational nature of their study, the team called for further research into how AI impacts a healthcare professional's abilities and ways to prevent loss of skills. Colonoscopy is done to detect and remove benign (non-cancerous) tumours to prevent bowel cancer. Several trails have already demonstrated that use of AI in colonoscopies increases the detection of such tumours leading to widespread adoption. At the same time, there is also a dearth of research into how the continued use of AI affects the skills of endoscopists. It could be positive, or negative leading to reduction in skills. 'Our results are concerning given the adoption of AI in medicine is rapidly spreading. We urgently need more research into the impact of AI on health professional's skills across different medical fields. We need to find out which factors may cause or contribute to problems when healthcare professionals and AI systems don't work well together, and to develop ways to fix or improve these interactions,' said author Dr Marcin Romańczyk, Academy of Silesia (Poland).
