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Isabella Amado, a third-year medical student at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, uses the Microsoft HoloLens and the HoloAnatomy software during an anatomy course. (Courtesy photo | Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/HoloLens.Isabella-Amado-looking-down-WS-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C180&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/HoloLens.Isabella-Amado-looking-down-WS-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C468&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button”>Kevin Chao, 25, is working toward becoming the best emergency medicine physician he can be. Chao is currently a medical student at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. In order to provide the best care possible to future patients, he believes he needs to be trained in one of the latest cutting-edge technologies: artificial intelligence. “It’s a shiny new toy,” Chao said. Artificial intelligence in health care refers to the development of computer systems that are designed to perform health-related tasks based on data analysis. AI is currently used in medical imaging data, drug development, administrative efficiency and transcription of medical documents to increase speed and accuracy, according to Los Angeles Pacific University. Chao doesn’t have to go too far to learn about how AI is reshaping the health care landscape. Tarrant County’s medical institutions are beginning to integrate the technology into their curriculum to stay up to date on tools available for students. “As a society, we’re all moving toward utilization of AI. It’s going to be a tool that frees us up and allows time to actually talk with our patients and help students,” Dr. Adam Jennings, executive director at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU, said.AI in medical educationArtificial intelligence is not a new concept. Some of the first artificial intelligence applications in health care were used in the 1970s to explore medicine, according to the National Library of Medicine.The use of artificial intelligence has become more accessible through its adoption by social media platforms, medical practitioners and industry leaders. The medical world had been whispering about integrating the tool into common practice for over five years, but those whispers have turned into actual conversations more recently, Jennings said. “Almost every type of technologically advanced education equipment has started to put some type of AI component into it,” he said.Since the Burnett School of Medicine opened in 2019, the medical school has worked to stay at the forefront of artificial intelligence. The institution uses Microsoft HoloLens and the HoloAnatomy software that allow students a virtual view inside the human body. The use of 3D renderings deepens students’ medical knowledge, Jennings said. Isabella Amado takes a closer look at the human body through the Microsoft HoloLens and the HoloAnatomy software during an anatomy course at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. (Courtesy photo | Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University) Burnett School of Medicine also uses artificial intelligence in high-fidelity manikins that are used to practice procedures such as intubation, CPR, ventilations and defibrillation. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is early in its endeavors to integrate AI tools more directly into its curriculums, Harlan Jones, associate professor of immunology and microbiology at UNT Health Science Center, said. At the moment, the health science center is focused on conducting research on the future effects of artificial intelligence on the health care industry, Jones said. “We’re fortunate to conduct biomedical research that utilizes AI and because of that, it allows for medical students to get immersed into artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to understand health care outcomes,” he said. UNT Health Science Center uses forms of artificial intelligence in its HSC Regional Simulation Center, which offers simulations and virtual reality rooms that replicate various health care settings.The University of North Texas Health Science Center celebrated the opening of the Regional Simulation Center in June 2022. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)In October 2021, UNT Health Science Center was awarded a $50 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to use artificial intelligence to lead the AI/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity. Chao said the use of artificial intelligence in his medical education has helped to improve his learning. “We’ve done a lot of training with simulations and manikins to practice scenarios, and that real-time AI feedback, that helps take away the nerves and jitters and puts it in a safe practicing environment,” he said. Winston Scambler, 24, has had similar experiences with artificial intelligence as a TCU medical student. “To have AI from a curriculum perspective, one of the big changes that I’ve been able to see is with the advancements of learning models,” he said. “On the preclinical side, it can really help us with research and sort through data to learn faster.”What is the future of AI in Tarrant County?Even with the excitement around artificial intelligence, some have raised concerns that AI could replace humans and displace health workers from their jobs. It’s unlikely that could happen in the next few decades, Jennings said. “For a little while, everyone was scared of the effects of robots taking over and putting us out of a job. I think it’s become a bit more apparent that the technology isn’t to the point where it’s going to replace a physician, and it may never get to that point,” he said. Jennings said there is also fear around students using it to cheat on assignments, but assures students “are using it to the best of their abilities, but really fact-checking to make sure they’re learning the correct information.” As artificial intelligence makes more headway into medical education, its capabilities are being utilized in local patient care. Methodist Mansfield Medical Center is currently at the forefront of medical technology with its recent integration of artificial intelligence in its new neuro critical care unit. By developing the new technology, staff can save a significant amount of time and protect brain tissue in the process, according to hospital officials. JPS Health Network is also using artificial intelligence — with a focus on safety — to identify guns on its campus and quicken law enforcement’s response to potential emergencies. The hospital partnered with ZeroEyes, a company with software that scans security cameras for firearms. Jones said he expects AI to become an essential tool for all medical institutions in the coming years, and it’s his belief it should be embraced with open arms. “We would pretty much be remiss if we did not take full advantage of what technology allows for our future. Why not use it for our health?” he said. “We’ve seen technologies in our everyday use improve our quality of life, so it’s incumbent upon us to really take advantage of that in a responsible way.” Chao wants to see artificial intelligence grow, but hopes the technology is monitored carefully to ensure it ultimately benefits both patients and students.“I see it as a double-edged sword. It can help with the equity and distribution of our health care, but the other end is the ethics side,” he said. “What are we losing by implementing AI? It’s all about balance.” David Moreno is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.