Adnkronos Naples, June 17 (Adnkronos Salute) – Is technological innovation a driver of equity, universality and appropriateness of care? Does artificial intelligence guarantee answers to needs or does it increase territorial gaps? These questions were at the center of one of the plenary sessions of the 25th National Aiic Conference taking place in Naples. As specified by Lorenzo Leogrande, president of the Conference of the Italian Association of Clinical Engineers, "we wanted to address this issue in our agenda because we cannot disconnect the technological revolution underway in healthcare from the objectives that this same transformation seeks to pursue, which are to treat everyone, treat better and always treat".
In this very direction, Gimbe president Nino Cartabellotta underlined that "today we find ourselves within a paradox because, on the one hand, technology has made extraordinary tools available such as advanced medical devices, sophisticated equipment, innovative drugs, artificial intelligence solutions and, on the other hand, however, we are unable to guarantee essential services to all citizens who need them, throughout the national territory. It is precisely this lack of equity that represents the main criticality today". Certainly "if used in an ethical, responsible and conscious way - Cartabellotta observed - artificial intelligence can transform not only research, but also daily healthcare. It is important to underline, however, that, in the current phase, we have a lot of data - for example on the diagnostic accuracy of algorithms - but not yet solid evidence that these tools actually improve patients' health outcomes. For the future, consistent scientific evidence and multidisciplinary skills are needed to ensure the development of healthcare that is accessible everywhere and not limited to centers of excellence".
The voice of the Italians was represented by Lorenzo Latella of Cittadinanzattiva who focused on the "disconnection between social perception and institutional narrative of artificial intelligence in healthcare. From a very recent research that we did on about 600 patients in the Campania region - he explained - a very interesting fact emerges: patients, 80%, are almost afraid of the entry of artificial intelligence into their treatment path, because they fear it could create a fracture in the relationship with clinicians, who are always perceived as the main point of reference. There is therefore a need to involve the patient, so that he understands that artificial intelligence and new technologies can also be positive tools for the reorganization of treatment paths, for the expansion of therapeutic adherence to have early and more reliable diagnoses".
The world of industrial production – also represented in the session by Vittorio Martinelli of Olympus Italia – is already committed to making "innovation concretely usable and therefore fair and universal – said Alessandro Preziosa, president of the Electromedical Association of Confindustria Medical Devices – Everything that already exists is not at this time completely coordinated within the overall health system. Today, technological obsolescence – a real criticality of the sector – and the opportunity of artificial intelligence are a bit like opposing sides of the same coin. We obviously have to work on both aspects so that the theme of fairness is effectively developed, otherwise we risk having once again an uneven distribution of technological innovation".
On the role of the clinical engineer in this whole scenario - in which Cesare Hassan, president of the European Society of Gastroenterology, brought the contribution of the medical world that already uses the possibilities offered by AI to the maximum degree, Umberto Nocco, president of Aiic, clarifies that "we cannot deny that we are at a turning point: artificial intelligence - with the rest of the innovation that is objectively galloping - is no longer science fiction, but is a real factor of change in the system of care. Well: the skills are already present and are in the baggage of many professionals, including clinical engineers. Today we need to clarify - and first and foremost the National Governance of Health must do so - what the country wants to do with artificial intelligence to guarantee research, diagnostics and effective care throughout the national territory. As always, challenges are won all together, each offering the maximum of their own competence and availability. We, as clinical engineers, are here - he concluded - we believe it is appropriate that the entire professional community comes forward to participate as protagonists".