I work as a biomedical laboratory scientist in cancer research. The biggest change is in a wide range of patient data systems that are more user-friendly than the old ones. Data systems automatically collect information that who changed or handled and what information. The traceability of handling patient data is one of the key things that adds security to health care. There are several applications used for patient data allowing for large-scale data collecting. The disadvantage is that these systems often do not communicate with each other, leading to patient data being scattered in several places.
When it comes to sample analysis it is changing more to automation all the time. Automation is necessary for handling high sample volumes but can also lead to mistakes. If a blood sample is taken in the wrong tube it can lead to incorrect results. We must always be aware and have procedures to prevent wrong results from ending up in patient records.
AI has developed a lot especially in the field of pathology. It is possible to detect normal cells and cancer cells from histological samples with AI. Sample analysis will be quicker, and the patients will get results or diagnoses faster. This is remarkable especially regarding malignities in tissues. Development in sample analysis is growing all the time. The benefits of AI are that the results can be more precise and there is no variation like between human individuals who interpret the samples. Still humans have to make sure that the results are right and know how the sample quality can affect the results. If the histological sample is poor, it can affect the interpretation of the sample. The interaction between machines, experts in their own field and AI will be very important in the future to make health care more efficient and cost effective. I expect to have new innovative solutions like these in my work.
Open digital society and GDPR
We are using more technology all the time and at the same time we also leave traces of ourselves in many places. You might not realize what kind of information you are giving and where because it’s not visible to you unless you know where to look. An open digital society offers opportunities for developing services, but it also allows criminals to exploit the information available. Data breaches can lead to your information falling into the wrong hands. Cybercrimes such as hacking and identity theft are a threat to everyone.
The general data protection regulation (GDPR) is made to protect EU citizens and residents. It defines how personal data is handled, processed and stored. This kind of data needs to be securely stored, and the use of data must always be justified. There is always a person who ensures that the data is handled in the right way. GDPR gives individuals the right to choose who they give their information to and have control over it. In my line of work GDPR assures that the patient data is in safe hands and the patient can choose who can access it. Research consents have become more detailed due to the requirements of GDPR. The downside of GDPR is that health care professionals might not get the essential information for treatment of patients. Utilizing GDPR in health care can increase the administrative workload and demands extra resources to set up and maintain data protection procedures. It also requires investments in suitable technology and training of the personnel.
In my personal life I can choose more about my own privacy. I don’t need to give my information to anyone. In my opinion GDPR is very welcome in this digital era of ours. The only nuisance is that I have to be more mindful of the settings I want to have in different apps and choose the privacy settings on every website.
ChatGPT
Here’s what I asked from ChatGPT and some parts of its answers.
What is trending in prostate cancer research?
“Current trends in prostate cancer research focus on several key areas, including early detection methods, genetic insights, personalized therapies, and advancements in both surgical and non-invasive treatments.”
How are cancer treatments tailored to individuals?
“Cancer treatments are increasingly tailored to individuals through a process known as precision medicine. This approach considers the genetic, molecular, and personal characteristics of both the patient and their cancer.”
ChatGPT also added conclusion
“Tailoring cancer treatments involves a combination of genomic analysis, biomarker testing, pharmacogenomics, and personalized risk assessment. These approaches ensure that therapies are chosen not only based on the type of cancer but also on the individual characteristics of the patient’s tumor and their overall health, resulting in more effective and targeted treatments.”
Could you tell me more about prostate cancer and big data?
“Prostate cancer research is increasingly leveraging big data to enhance diagnostics, treatment outcomes, and understanding of the disease’s progression. Big data in this context refers to large datasets collected from diverse sources, such as genomic data, patient health records, imaging data, and clinical trial results. — The integration of AI and machine learning tools allows researchers and clinicians to handle and interpret these vast datasets, ultimately leading to better patient care and more targeted therapies.”
Overall, the answers were right and ChatGPT used Finnish references. When asking things in Finnish the answers can have less information than in English. Repeating the same question can lead to variations in the response. The content itself remains unchanged, but it describes the same things in different ways. You cannot fully rely on what ChatGPT tells and you have to check the accuracy of the information it is giving. AI can be a good tool to get new ideas or perspectives regarding your search. In my own experience AI is good at solving problems, so you don’t have to start searching from several places to find a solution. Artificial Intelligence can sometimes make things up, so it’s important to remember that not everything it provides is based on facts.
Self-evaluation
This section of the course was quite interesting with all the videos and examples of digital society. I learned a lot about AI and how it can be used in everyday life. The most important thing was this statement that we have to be the master of AI and not its servants. The importance of us to adjust our need and use of AI in the right way. Unfortunately, the spreading of disinformation is a real threat, and it can be hard to tell what is real and not.
These videos showed how much we are leaving traces of our movements and locations just with our cellphones. I am definitely paying attention more to my digital privacy settings in the future. You can never address cybersecurity too much, it’s something we all need to understand more deeply. I know that I am not keeping up enough with developments in technology. I need to focus more on what’s coming next because AI applications are becoming more common. The way we do our jobs is about to change and we need to be ready for it.