Mexico City, December 8, 2023.—To mark its25th anniversary, the School of Medicine of the School of Health Sciences at the Universidad Panamericana organized the 4th Symposium on Virtual Medicine and Therapeutic Advances , at which international and national experts presented the most relevant findings in this field.
Representing Panamericana at the event were Dr. Gregorio Tomás Obrador Vera, Director General of Health; Dr. Stephanie Derive, Dean of the School of Health Sciences; and Dr. María de Lourdes González del Rincón, Dean of the School of Medicine
In his welcome address, Dr. Obrador emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of medicine, as well as an ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in health care at a crucial time when technology is playing an increasingly important role in advancing the health and well-being of society.
The Role of AI in Healthcare
The First Lecture "How Does Artificial Intelligence Work in Healthcare?" was presented by Dr. Richard Satava, professor emeritus of surgery at the University of Washington. In his talk, he provided a detailed overview of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of medicine and emphasized the importance of this technology in advancing modern healthcare.
He also spoke about AI's ability to process large volumes of data and detect complex patterns, which has proven invaluable in the clinical setting, providing doctors and healthcare professionals with powerful tools to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnoses and treatments.
“By enabling a more personalized approach for each patient, AI offers the potential to improve health outcomes and speed up recovery times, which directly benefits patients,” he said.
Imaging, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence
The conference Imaging, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence: The Three Weapons of Choice for Smart Surgery, held online, was presented by Dr. Jacques Marescaux, MD, president of the Institut de Recherche contre les Cancers de l’Appareil Digestif in Strasbourg, France.
The discussion focused on the combination of robotics, imaging, and AI as the best way to perform smart surgery. The pioneer of minimally invasive surgery noted: “Advances in robot-assisted surgery and the integration of artificial intelligence into the field of medicine are bringing about a significant change in the way surgical procedures are performed.”
He also discussed how the Momentis, Pentax Endomaster, and EndoQuest robots are prime examples of how robotic technology is being used to improve the precision and effectiveness of various types of surgeries.
“These advances allow for less invasive procedures, faster recovery times, and greater precision in the treatment of complex medical conditions, ”he said.
Advances in Alzheimer's Research
Dr. Joseph C. Masdeu, recognized for his outstanding work in Alzheimer's research and treatment, delivered the lecture "Monoclonal Antibodies to Reduce Beta-Amyloid in the Alzheimer's Disease Process".
In it, she stated:“The approach of using monoclonal antibodies as part of treatment to reduce beta-amyloid—one of the key proteins involved in the development of Alzheimer’s— is part of the search for effective solutions to slow the progression of this debilitating disease.”
“This research also offers hope to patients and their families by providing treatment options and intervention strategies that could improve the quality of life for those affected by this condition,” he said.
The Value and Limitations of AI in Healthcare
Next, Dr. Evandro Agazzi, director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics at Panamericana University, presented an analysis of values and limits in the field of health and shared his reflections on the dichotomy between the natural and the artificial as it relates to human beings and technology.
Recognizing that the artificial environment is humanity’s true ecosystem today, Dr. Agazzi emphasized“the importance of understanding the ethical and moral boundaries that should guide the development and implementation of technology in the field of health.”
“This understanding involves recognizing that, while technology and AI can provide significant benefits, their application must prioritize human values and patient well-being,”he said.
Although AI can provide valuable information and assist in clinical decision-making, Dr. Agazzi emphasized “the importance of physicians retaining ultimate responsibility for medical decisions, always ensuring the patient’s well-being and safety.”
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Dr. Lourdes Martínez Villaseñor, academic director of the Master’s in Data Science program at the Panamericana University School of Engineering, delivered the lecture Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of maintaining transparent ethics and an equitable approach in the implementation of AI and digital health systems. She also emphasized the need for transparent and ethical systems that ensure accountability and trust in the use of AI in healthcare.
“The need to consider equity and inclusion in the development of AI systems is essential to ensuring that the technology benefits all groups equitably and fairly,avoidingany bias or discrimination in health care,” he said.
Emerging Technologies
Dr. Vesela Kovacheva, Director of Clinical and Translational Research in the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School, delivered the lecture “Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models – Emerging Technologies Coming to the Bedside”.
She explained:“It’s difficult to develop AI for the healthcare sector in particular. Either there’s very little data, or there’s too much; or the data is very heterogeneous or isn’t clean, and working with it poses a major challenge.”
He also discussed how to standardize data for analysis and how to address the challenges posed by genetic models and population diversity. In addition, he emphasized “the importance of data protection and patient privacy when analyzing and processing medical information.”
Learn more about the School of Medicine's programs at: https://www.up.edu.mx/educacion-facultad-de-ciencias-de-la-salud-oferta-academica-escuela-medicina/
