AI will never replace Physicians because of lack of
soft skills and human touch-Prof. Parveen Kumar
By Prof. Atif Qureshi
Lahore: The first official academic activity of the international medical conference-2024, jointly organized by the Superior University and University of Lahore in collaboration with PAMI was held on March 4th at Superior University. The theme of the conference was “AI Horizons in Medicine & Dentistry: Navigating the future”. Prof. Parveen Kumar an eminent physician from UK was the guest speaker.
Prof. Parveen Kumar visited Superior University and had interactive discussions with student and faculty durning her recent visit to Pakistan. Photograph taken on the occasion from (L to R) shows Prof. Zahid Latif, Prof. M. Akbar Choudhry, Sumaira Rehman Rector Superior University, Prof. Parveen Kumar, Prof. Muhammad Aslam and Prof. Rizawan Saeed.
On arrival at the Superior University, the guest speaker met the Rector Superior University Prof. Dr. Sumaira Rehman who introduced her about the university and the innovative, unique features of the university, its vast number of disciplines, courses, curricula and specially 3U1M program and entrepreneurship courses for all disciplines. The rector presented her with the university year book and a special souvenir made by the students of arts and design department of the university. Prof. Parveen Kumar thanked her for the hospitality and the souvenirs. The chief guest was taken to the main auditorium where she was welcomed by the audience with standing ovation.
The main objective of this session was to interact with the students and faculty members to share her life long experiences and guide the younger doctors and the medical students about the future of the Medicine. Prof. Atif Qureshi from ANMC moderated the session.
The venue was main auditorium of the Superior University Lahore. A large number of the senior medical students from Azra Naheed Medical College (ANMC), Azra Naheed Dental College (ANDC), the Superior University Lahore & University College of Medicine & Dentistry (UCMD), the University of Lahore attended this session. Young doctors, senior faculty members, Principal of ANMC, Prof. Mohammad Aslam, Principal Rashid Latif Medical College Lahore, Prof. Arif Mehmood Siddiqui and Dean Faculty of Medical Sciences the Superior University Prof. Mohammad Akbar Chaudhry.
Prof. Parveen Kumar photograph with faculty and students of various medical colleges after having detailed interactive discussion with them on future on Medicine on March 4th, 2024.
Prof. PJ Kumar in her inspirational lecture talked about the past, present and the future of Medicine. The title of her presentation was “Life is not a rehearsal”. She shared her experiences from the past and her vision for the future of medical profession.
The presentation was followed by lively questions-answers session, moderated by Prof. Atif. Students and faculty asked many questions. Responding to the questions she interacted with each person individually who asked that question thus gave it a great touch by her interest, passion and guidance. Most of the questions were related to her famous book “Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine”, role of Artificial Intelligence in future of medicine and medical professionals, her view about “must have” characteristics of doctors and advices for the medical students and young doctors. Through her answers she told how and why she decided to write a book, the process of keeping it update and what advices she would give to the future writers.
Regarding her views about AI replacing doctors in future, she explained that AI cannot and will not replace doctors, because of the lack of the soft skills and most important lack of “human touch”, which she declared as the most important factor in patient-doctor relationship. She explained that no one can deny the importance of AI and it will facilitate the healthcare professionals and the system to a great extent in near future. She advised the students and young doctors to be humble, empathetic and polite with the patients & denied any place for arrogance in medical professions.
This was followed by the vote of thanks by the Dean Medical Sciences the Superior University Prof. Mohammad Akbar Chaudhry. He told the audience about her long association with her as a colleague and as the reviewer of one section of her book.
Earlier Principal ANMC welcomed the Guest speaker Prof. Parveen Kumaxr. Prof. Muhammad Atif Qureshi introduced the Chief Guest Prof. Parveen Kumar by reading her detailed Citation, studded with the long list of her major credentials and achievements.
