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International Research Journal of Medical Sciences and Health Care

Open Access Peer Review International
Open Access

Reconciling Technology and Empathy: The Role of AI in Humanistic Medicine

DOI https://doi.org/10.55640/irjmshc-v02i08-01
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Dr. Isabella Moretti 1 , Dr. Samuel J. Clarke 1 ,
4 Department of Medical Humanities, University of Milan, Italy
4 Institute of Bioethics and Health Technology, King’s College London, United Kingdom

Abstract

The accelerating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into medicine presents a transformative paradigm for healthcare delivery, promising unprecedented efficiencies and diagnostic accuracies. However, this technological revolution simultaneously raises profound questions regarding the future of humanistic medicine – a philosophy centered on empathy, compassion, patient-centered care, and the holistic understanding of individual experiences. This article provides an IMRaD-formatted analysis of the multifaceted impact of AI on humanistic medical practice. It explores AI's capabilities in enhancing healthcare delivery [2] while critically examining patient apprehensions [3, 4], the pervasive issue of bias in data-driven AI systems [5], and the complex ethical considerations that arise [6]. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this paper discusses how AI can augment, rather than diminish, humanistic elements in healthcare by automating routine tasks, providing predictive insights, and facilitating more personalized care. Conversely, it highlights the imperative for ethical frameworks and a human-centered design approach to mitigate risks such as algorithmic bias and the erosion of trust. The conclusion emphasizes that a symbiotic relationship between AI and humanistic medicine is achievable and essential, requiring conscious effort to ensure technology serves to elevate, not undermine, the compassionate core of patient care.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, humanistic medicine, medical empathy

References

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