The art of healing in the era of emerging technologies: Back to the fundamentals of clinical medicine

Abstract

The incorporation of innovative technology at the bedside is expediting the evaluation and diagnosis of patients during the clinical practice of medicine, surgery, and sub-specialties such as trauma surgery, emergency medicine, and critical care medicine. Furthermore, the technology is enhancing the knowledge of the physiologic burden of injuries or disease, thus contributing to the timely management of thousands of patients in our institutions. As clinicians, we should never forget the fundamentals of patient evaluation. Beginning with the history and physical examination, in which the application of fundamental semiology principles assists us with the identification of various pathological manifestations in the form of signs and symptoms. These principles will always be the base to enhance the diagnosis of diseases and conditions, consequently expediting the evaluation and management of patients with acute medical conditions, polytrauma, and severe injuries. Simultaneously, advances in digital healthcare technologies, such as artificial intelligence, VR/AR, 3D-printing, robotics, or nanotechnology are rapidly shaping up the future of healthcare. These changes require healthcare providers to quickly adapt, gain new skills, and become proficient in technology. Furthermore, it requires clinicians to prioritize the provision of adequate education, training, and information about these types of advances. For example, informing staff, trainees, patients, and families regarding the inevitable inclusion of emerging robotics assistant technology in clinical practice. Preparing the staff that soon, rather than later, the rapid development and adaptation of artificial intelligence-enhanced clinical management and treatment systems algorithms will be integrated into our institution’s clinical information systems. With the advent of technology, we must continue to emphasize the fundamentals of medicine. This is particularly important for practitioners in resource limited countries and those responding to pandemics, endemics, emergencies, and disasters. Part of the mission of the Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care – JEMTAC, and academic institutions is to keep providing continuous medical and allied health education on performance improvement, and professional and social responsibility on the practice of modern medicine. In 2023, the journal continues to publish topics in the fundamentals of clinical medicine. This is the case of the article by Neal et al., titled “A high index of clinical suspicion for a spontaneous uterine rupture in the early second trimester,” where the authors emphasized that a high index of clinical suspicion could expedite the diagnosis and management and decrease the maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality associated with the clinical condition described.