8 questions with a pediatric physician and medical education leader about how AI is used in healthcare today, and what he anticipates in the years ahead
Artificial intelligence is woven into so many aspects of our everyday lives it’s become second nature – from streaming services recommending the next movie or song you may like, to map apps providing real-time traffic information for your morning commute.
This predictive and personalized problem-solving is even prevalent in pediatric health care. While it can enhance care, it cannot replace the knowledge, judgment and compassion of clinical experts. Dr. Nayef Chahin, neonatologist, program director of our Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program and associate program director of our Pediatric Residency Program, explains how AI is helpful in medicine – but why it won’t be taking over for your child’s doctor.
How has AI helped health care providers in recent years?
AI has revolutionized so much and continues to do so on a daily basis. Healthcare providers have been able to use this technology to make our work more efficient—with documentation, review of pertinent patient information, as well as conducting faster literature reviews to appraise the science and evidence behind the care we provide.
How does this translate to enhanced patient care?
By making our daily work and documentation of clinical encounters more efficient, we’re able to dedicate more time at the bedside and continue providing the compassionate care our patients seek without feeling too rushed.
Are there AI benefits that are specific to pediatrics?
AI is significantly advancing pediatric care by boosting diagnostic precision, tailoring treatment plans to each patient and streamlining processes—especially in areas such as medical imaging, rare disease identification and chronic condition management. The integration of AI in pediatrics continues to expand rapidly, with notable applications including early detection of developmental challenges, predictive analytics that help monitor and anticipate patient deterioration in intensive care settings, and innovative AI-powered tools designed to assist in diagnosing autism. These developments not only improve clinical outcomes, but also enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of pediatric healthcare.
Are there benefits specific to your subspecialty of neonatology?
The development of predictive analytics within our field has garnered significant attention, particularly regarding its potential to identify early signs of patient deterioration. This technology holds promise for dramatically improving outcomes among premature infants.
Although we’re still in the initial stages of integrating predictive analytics into neonatal care, our understanding continues to grow. As these tools become more refined and widely adopted, I’m confident we will shift increasingly toward preventive interventions in the NICU, moving away from a primarily reactive approach. This evolution could profoundly enhance the quality of care provided to our most vulnerable patients.
What are some concerns around AI in medicine?
AI presents several ethical challenges, particularly regarding the risk of sensitive information being misused or inadvertently exposed to the public. Another significant issue is the tendency of AI to 'hallucinate,' meaning it can sometimes generate false or misleading information. Additionally, there is growing apprehension about the impact of AI on education, especially the concern that reliance on these technologies may erode critical thinking skills among trainees.
For these reasons, it’s crucial for the medical and educational communities to establish robust safeguards as we continue to learn about AI and its applications, ensuring patient information remains protected. Ongoing education is essential, empowering providers to identify instances when AI produces inaccurate data and to distinguish genuine insights from fabricated content. Ultimately, we must strive to harness AI as a tool that serves our needs, rather than allowing ourselves to become dependent on it in ways that could compromise the quality of care or education.
How would you caution providers and patients/parents to avoid these pitfalls?
Embracing AI is essential, as this technology is undoubtedly here to stay. Rather than shying away from it, take the opportunity to educate yourself about both its advantages and challenges, as well as the areas where our understanding is still evolving. Invest time in learning how to effectively interact with AI—mastering how to prompt it correctly can make a significant difference in the accuracy and usefulness of the information it provides. The more knowledgeable and comfortable we become with AI, the better equipped we’ll be to guide others in using it responsibly and safely.
In addition to providing patient care, you hold leadership roles in medical education. How do you guide residents and fellows regarding the use of AI?
I offer residents and fellows the same guidance mentioned earlier, but emphasize the ongoing need for education—both on their part and ours. It's crucial that they develop the skills to identify misinformation and critically assess how AI should be applied, both in clinical care and in their own learning journeys. Ultimately, no matter how we choose to incorporate AI, the responsibility for ensuring safe and accurate patient care rests with us. I encourage them to view AI as a valuable resource to support their education and practice, rather than allowing it to overshadow or replace their independent learning and judgment.
What do you anticipate in terms of AI in the pediatric setting in the coming years?
AI is advancing at an extraordinary rate, and as a result, I anticipate we’ll continue to refine and elevate the quality of care we offer our patients. These innovations are poised to significantly reduce the risk of human error, yet it’s important to emphasize that AI is not intended to replace healthcare providers. Our expertise and presence remain indispensable. Rather, AI serves as a powerful tool to supplement our skills, enabling us to deliver even more effective and efficient care. Ultimately, AI’s role is to support and propel our efforts forward, not to overshadow the essential contributions that only humans can provide.
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Hospitals and healthcare institutions have varying guidelines around the use of AI and approved tools. Many, like VCU Health, have employed chief AI officers to oversee advancements in AI and emerging technologies. We also have a workgroup that’s entrusted with AI governance and oversight for our system. This cross-functional team of subject matter experts from legal, regulatory affairs, privacy & compliance, information security, physician informatics, and several IT and business units meets on a regular basis to review and vet all AI requests against organizational vision, priorities and policies.
Before implementing a new tool ensure it’s approved by your organization.