Many of you are already familiar with artificial intelligence (AI), as it’s emerged over the past two years as a transformative technology. In the evolving world of health care, AI has already demonstrated potential for enhancing health care and its delivery.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken significant steps in promoting the responsible and ethical use of AI in practice, recognizing its potential to address global challenges such as workforce shortages, patient safety, disease diagnosis, and routine health information systems management.1-2 But what does this mean for acupuncturists?
While acupuncture is rooted in traditional treatment practices, the integration of AI in health care is creating new opportunities that can benefit practitioners in unexpected ways. AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of health data can enhance decision-making and patient outcomes, making it a valuable tool for acupuncturists seeking to deliver more personalized care.
Additionally, AI offers a new way and tool to aggregate and synthesize massive amounts of data on acupuncture and traditional medicine delivery, outcomes, and more for research purposes. From automating administrative tasks in electronic health records (EHR) systems to helping identify patterns in patient symptoms, AI could streamline practices and free up time for the practitioner to focus more on hands-on healing with their patients.2
Recently, the WHO has emphasized the importance of ensuring AI technology is used equitably and ethically, which is crucial for a profession like acupuncture that thrives on patient trust and holistic approaches.1-2 As AI tools become more sophisticated, there are growing applications in diagnostics, patient engagement, and even integrative medicine – a space where acupuncture has cemented itself as an integral piece of the treatment team.
As with any emerging technology, there can be a sense of skepticism, and rightfully so. However, acupuncturists should not view AI as a replacement for their craft, but as a supplemental tool to enhance their capacity, hopefully allowing for better patient care delivery and reducing the administrative burden faced today.
Staying informed about AI’s role in health care, especially as it is endorsed and researched by global authorities like the WHO, could help acupuncturists stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly digitizing field.1-2
By embracing innovation cautiously and thoughtfully, acupuncturists can ensure they continue to offer high-quality, patient-centered care while leveraging AI’s benefits.
References
- World Health Organization. “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Health.”
- World Health Organization. “Digital Health and Innovation: Access to Assistive Technology & Medical Devices.”
