A Message from the GCMA President

Dear GCMA colleagues,

Howtime zooms along! We are now into the second half of the year and only a short time away from the GCMA Samoa Medical Conference in Apia, Samoa from 29-30 September. We are looking forward with great anticipation to this meeting with our South Pacific medical colleagues and students. The program has a wide topic compass and the speaker contributions are equally shared between our Samoan colleagues and our GCMA sourced presenters. More details of this conference are included in this edition of The Medical Link.

I want to thank A/Prof Stephen Weinstein for his sterling efforts in bringing this meeting together in collaboration with our conference partners the Oceania University of Medicine, the Samoan

Medical Association, the National University of Samoa, and the Samoan Ministry of Health. We have received very welcome sponsorship support from Griffith and Bond Universities. I hope you will join us in Samoa in September. Everyone is welcome! Conference attendees get a substantial discount on accommodation at the meeting venue, the fantastic Taumeasina Island Resort.

To register, please scan the QR code below, or simply Google ‘GCMA Samoa Conference’.

On Thursday 20 July we had our first evening clinical dinner meeting in our new venue at Bumbles Café and Restaurant at Budds Beach, Surfers Paradise. The informative and well-illustrated presentation on radiation therapy for skin cancers by Dr David Christie, Radiation Oncologist from Genesis Care, opened up a range of treatment options for patients suffering from solar-caused skin conditions. An article arising from this presentation will be forthcoming in The Medical Link. The new venue was a more intimate setting for our meetings and I would like to thank the Bumbles staff for the wonderful service and food! We plan more Thursday evening meetings at Bumbles later this year.

B e l o w a r e s o m e o f t h e k e y p o i n t s o f f e e d i n g a n d e a t i n g f o a n d c a n h e l p t o t r a n s l a t e t h e l a t e s t e v i d e n c e i n t o p r a c t i c a l s t e p s t o g u i d e y o u i n t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n t o w a r d b e t t e r h e a l t h

There are many other considerations for feeding and eating in paediatric clients, and it is important to speak with a Dietitian about any other concerns that they can support

Get in touch with your local Sports & Spinal Dietitian to learn more

Artificial Intelligence

We have seen much written recently about artificial intelligence (AI) ‘taking over’ medical practice. I was asked what I thought of the place of AI (and more specifically the Chat-GPT version of the machine learning form of AI) in medicine. After some reflection my response was, “It is good for scoping an issue or problem, but cannot be the final word”. I still think that is a reasonable response, but I thought I would get a second opinion from the ‘horse’s mouth’ so to speak; from GPT-4 (the latest version of Chat-GPT). I asked this AI machine to: “Please write a short piece on the positives and negatives of using artificial intelligence machines like GPT-4 in medical practice”.

GPT-4 responded:

Title: The Pros and Cons of Integrating GPT-4 AI Machines in Medical Practice

In recent years, the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have opened up new possibilities for the medical field. The introduction of GPT-4 AI machines holds promise in revolutionizing healthcare delivery. However, like any technology, there are both positive and negative aspects to consider when integrating AI, such as GPT-4, into medical practice.

The Positives:

1. Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy: GPT4 AI machines have the potential to analyze vast amounts of patient data, including medical records, lab results, and imaging scans, allowing for more precise and rapid diagnoses. This can lead to early detection of diseases and improved treatment outcomes.

2. Efficient Data Processing: AI machines can sift through mountains of medical data in a fraction of the time it would take for human clinicians. This efficiency can save precious time and resources, en- abling medical professionals to focus more on patient care and research.

3. Personalized Treatment Plans: By leveraging AI's ability to identify patterns and trends in patient data, GPT-4 can assist in developing personalized treatment plans. Tailoring treatments to individual patients can optimize therapeutic effectiveness and reduce adverse effects.

4. 24/7 Availability: AI machines don't suffer from fatigue or require rest, enabling them to work around the clock. This continuous availability ensures quick access to medical information and decision-making support, particularly in emergencies.

The Negatives:

1. Data Privacy and Security Concerns: Integrating AI systems in medical practice requires sharing sensitive patient data. Ensuring data privacy and protecting against cyber threats becomes paramount, as breaches could have severe consequences for patient trust and well-being.

2. Lack of Human Intuition: AI machines lack the empathetic and intuitive qualities of human clinicians. While AI can provide data-driven insights, it may not fully comprehend the emotional and psychological aspects of patient care, which are crucial in certain medical scenarios.

3. Bias in Data and Algorithms: If the training data used to develop GPT-4 AI machines is biased or limited in representation, the AI system might perpetuate existing healthcare disparities. This bias could lead to differential treatment or misdiagnoses, particularly for underrepresented patient groups.

4. Limited Understanding of Complex Cases: Although GPT-4 can process large amounts of data, there are cases

Bariatric and General Surgeon

Assoc. Prof Harald Puhalla MD FRACS

An experienced general surgeon with a sub-specialist interest in bariatric and upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Using the latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive treatment technologies, Harald has helped thousands of people achieve the best health outcomes. Bariatric patients especially benefit from his close partnership with bariatric dietitians, exercise physiologists and psychologists. It is this dedication to holistic care, and Harald’s compassionate manner, that give his patients individual solutions for long-term results.

Bariatric Surgery has substantial health benefits:

No or reduced medication for:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Hypertension

• High cholesterol

• Osteoarthritis / joint pain

• Decreased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots

Decreased risk of developing 13 types of cancer (e.g. large bowel, ovarian)

• Better quality of life and increased physical activity

• Prolonged life expectancy (calculated from the age of 40 years)

• Improved fertility female (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and male where the medical situation is highly complex and requires a deep understanding of unique circumstances. AI systems may struggle to handle such complex scenarios accurately.

5. Liability and Accountability: When AI is involved in decision-making, questions of responsibility and liability arise. Determining who is accountable in cases of medical errors or adverse outcomes involving AI can be legally and ethically challenging.

In conclusion, integrating GPT-4 AI machines in medical practice brings about a host of opportunities and challenges. While it has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve treatment plans, and optimize healthcare delivery, concerns related to data privacy, bias, lack of human intuition, and accountability must be addressed carefully. Striking the right balance between AI assistance and human expertise will be crucial to unlock the full potential of AI in advancing healthcare while ensuring patient safety and well-being.

Well, this seems a reasonable response from GPT-4. It will be interesting to see how the application of AI in medical practice plays out. But I am optimistic that ways of using AI to compliment rather than compete with doctors will be the way forward.

We are always looking to expand our membership. I encourage you to invite your doctor colleagues to join the GCMA. It is very easy to do. Just go to the GCMA website (www.gcma.org.au) and click through to the ‘Become a Member’ page to join. The registration page can take credit card payments. The $150 annual membership is extremely good value. It covers Thursday evening meetings where salient updates on clinical and professional matters are presented as well as a two-course meal and complimentary beverage, and the opportunity to interact with colleagues from all professional disciplines. I would like to thank those members who have renewed their membership for 2023. Your support is always appreciated. The GCMA is always ready to welcome new members to the leadership team. Please give me a call on phone number is 0422545753 if you are interested.

I look forward to seeing you at the Medical Conference in Samoa!

Yours sincerely,

Prof Philip Morris AM President GCMA