AI and the Human Touch: Enhancing Oncology Care Without Replacing It
Debra Patt, Executive Vice President of Policy, Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology, President of Community Oncology Alliance, and Chair of AI Task Force at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Balancing AI Innovation and Authentic Communication in Patient Care
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing oncology, providing new tools for diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and predictive analytics that can enhance patient outcomes. AI-driven insights are enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions, ultimately improving the quality of care.
However, as highlighted in a today’s New York Times article ‘The Doctors are Real but the Sales Pitches are Frauds’, the importance of authenticity in patient education remains paramount. While AI can aid in delivering complex medical information efficiently, it’s crucial to strike a balance—ensuring that patients receive honest, transparent communication that fosters trust.
The challenge lies in integrating AI where it enhances understanding and supports clinical judgment, without replacing the human touch that is vital in healthcare. We must remember that technology should serve as a supplement, not a substitute, for genuine patient-clinician relationships.
By thoughtfully combining technological innovation with authentic communication, we can advance oncology care that is both cutting-edge and compassionate.
And Douglas Flora, MD, FACCC, LSSBB and I are sporting Crimson Red as sadly my The University of Texas at Austin Longhorns lost to his The Ohio State University Buckeyes last week. Though you will never be able to remove the burnt orange from my blood!”
Douglas Flora, President-Elect at Association of Cancer Care Centers, also shared about a Buckeyes vs. Texas game on LinkedIn:
“HORNS DOWN: A Texas-Sized Wager and a Buckeye Victory
My dear friend, Debra Patt, is one of the most brilliant and thoughtful people I know, and her insights on the responsible integration of AI in oncology are second to none. We both agree on the critical role it will play in the future of cancer care, but our allegiances on the gridiron couldn’t be more different.
We had a friendly wager on the Buckeyes vs. Texas game, a classic showdown between two powerhouse programs. The Buckeyes took the W, and in a showing of true sportsmanship, Debra has now graciously paid her debt with this photo. Follow her on here if not already doing so—great insights from one of our best leaders in the field.
She was a great sport, and I suspect there’s a real chance for a rematch later this season. Lets hope I’m not wearing orange in our next photo together in January…
For now, though, I’m just enjoying the view from the top of the Big Ten. And to all my friends in Texas: it’s HORNS DOWN.”
More posts featuring Debra Patt.
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Challenging the Status Quo in Colorectal Cancer 2024
December 6-8, 2024
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ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
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ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
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Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
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OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
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Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023