The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence applications has sparked debates concerning the erosion of human interaction. However, within the sphere of pharmacy, such technology may actually enhance the pharmacist-patient relationship. Lisa Kipper, an experienced pharmacist and the director of experiential education at the Marshall B. Ketchum University in California, USA, stands as a proponent of this view.
Kipper, in her piece for ‘Pharmacy Times’, describes an AI system capable of identifying when patients should not refill a prescription. The system detects dangerous drug interactions and contraindications, while also updating electronic health records and sending treatment notifications via SMS or email to patients.
This technological aid frees pharmacists from bureaucratic tasks, thus granting them more time to focus on other crucial responsibilities. These include improving adherence to medication regimens and gathering information for providing recommendations and counseling services. Kipper also highlights how augmented and virtual reality devices can remotely guide patients in remote areas, for instance, those with rashes or wounds, offering appropriate advice from a distance.
Furthermore, such devices are already in use for pharmacist education, enhancing the learning experience in areas like the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations and in biochemistry via 3D models of molecules and proteins. Kipper acknowledges the challenge of data security with these systems, but she firmly believes the benefits are well worth the effort.
Additional Facts Relevant to the Topic:
– Enhanced Patient Education: AI can personalize educational material based on individual patient history and needs, making information about medication usage and side effects more accessible and understandable.
– Drug Development: AI and VR are being leveraged in the drug discovery and development process, with AI being used to predict molecular behavior and VR assisting in molecular modeling and simulation.
– Telepharmacy: AI and VR can expand the reach of pharmacy services through telepharmacy, which allows remote dispensing of medication and could be crucial in rural or underserved areas.
Most Important Questions and Answers:
Q: How might AI affect employment within the pharmacy sector?
A: AI might lead to a shift in the job landscape, with routine tasks becoming automated, leading pharmacists to focus more on patient care. However, this shift raises concerns about potential job displacement for some pharmacy technicians and clerks.
Q: What ethical considerations arise with the integration of AI in pharmacy?
A: There are concerns about patient privacy and consent, bias in AI algorithms, and the need to maintain transparency in AI-based decision-making processes.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
– Data Privacy and Security: The use of AI involves handling vast amounts of sensitive patient data, leading to concerns about data breaches and misuse.
– Algorithm Bias: There’s a risk of AI systems perpetuating or even exacerbating existing biases if they’re trained on flawed or incomplete data sets.
– Regulatory Oversight: Establishing appropriate regulations to govern the use of AI in pharmacy practices is complex and constantly evolving.
Advantages:
– Operational Efficiency: AI automates numerous administrative tasks, leading to greater efficiency and allowing pharmacists to allocate more time to patient care.
– Improved Accuracy: AI can reduce human error in medication management processes, potentially leading to fewer adverse drug events.
– Accessibility: VR can provide access to pharmacy services and education to patients and pharmacists in remote locations.
Disadvantages:
– Implementation Cost: The initial investment for AI and VR technologies can be significant, which might be a barrier for smaller pharmacies.
– Technical Challenges: Keeping up with rapid technological advances can be difficult, requiring ongoing training and updates to the systems.
– Reluctance to Adopt: There might be resistance to change from pharmacy professionals who are accustomed to traditional practices.
For those seeking further reading or resources related to AI and VR in pharmacy practices and their role in healthcare, the following entities offer additional information on the topic:
– American Medical Association: Provides insights into how technology impacts healthcare professionals.
– U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Offers information on the regulation of AI and medical devices.
– Pharmacy Times: A valuable resource for pharmacy professionals about industry innovations and trends.
The source of the article is from the blog yanoticias.es