On September 20th, the Mediterranean University Center of Nice hosted a significant event: the 25th anniversary of the General Assembly of the Ligue contre le Cancer. This day, filled with discussions and reflections, brought together experts, healthcare professionals, caregivers, patients, former patients, and associations. Together, they addressed key issues through three roundtable discussions.
- The first focused on the communication process for patients, emphasizing the importance of the human aspect during this critical moment.
- The second examined the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the healthcare system.
- The third explored the impact of supportive care, which is essential in supporting patients throughout their treatment journey.
Professor Paul HOFMAN, Director of the IHU RespirERA and Vice President of the Alpes-Maritimes Committee of the Ligue contre le Cancer, participated in the second roundtable. He highlighted AI's potential to transform certain medical practices, particularly in optimizing administrative tasks such as schedule management. This could free up valuable time for healthcare providers, allowing them to focus more on patient care.
However, Professor HOFMAN reminded the audience that, despite its power, AI will never replace the listening and compassion of caregivers in the face of suffering. While this technology is effective at analyzing large amounts of data and aiding decision-making, it must be used carefully and within a strict ethical framework.
He also discussed the numerous ethical questions raised by AI integration in healthcare. Among these are concerns regarding accountability in case of errors and the direct access of patients to diagnoses produced by these tools, which require careful consideration. The development of such technologies must be done with rigor to ensure their ethics and reliability.
The event sparked essential discussions about the future of healthcare. While AI is still young in this field, it represents a major technological advancement with the potential to transform medical practices. However, its implementation must be accompanied by strict ethical safeguards to ensure patient safety and well-being.
IHU RespirERA remains at the forefront of these discussions, committed to exploring innovative solutions while keeping the human element at the heart of care.
