A report on the first meetings of the Patients and Future project
The “Patients and Future” project is getting underway with the first training sessions for patient and family associations. Thanks to the unconditional contribution of the MSD Foundation, the project aims to develop digital skills and the informed use of artificial intelligence in communication on health issues.
As part of the programme, which also includes an in-person session at the Palestra dell'Innovazione (via del Quadraro 102, Rome), two events have already taken place. The first, on 10 December, was the webinar “Artificial intelligence and health: opportunities and risks”: an introduction to the mechanisms of artificial intelligence, outlining the areas and applications of AI for health and, finally, its limitations, risks, biases and fake news. Michele Fiori, a researcher at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Milan, connected with 20 leading representatives of non-profit organisations working in the field of health to support patients and caregivers. The discussion focused on how the world of health is changing, from advanced diagnostics to personalised medicine and clinical data management, while highlighting the lack of information about what AI really is and the real risks associated with its use. ‘We saw the uses of AI applications in healthcare, but we also debunked numerous myths. Many questions came from the people connected, especially regarding the centrality of the patient's critical thinking and the importance of support from the doctor,’ explains Fiori.
During the second webinar, “Questioning AI safely: rules and best practices”, held on Monday 15 December, Claudia Campisi explained how chatbots and generative engines work, giving suggestions on how to ask questions in the field of health without running the risk of misinformation, and which verification tools and reliable sources to use. Claudia, who is also an occupational psychologist, urged participants to take inspiration from the meeting to experiment independently and create effective prompts for their everyday work. ‘Volunteers will be able to help patients and their loved ones in the process of learning about and adopting new technologies, with the primary goal of raising awareness about the safe use of AI without losing sight of doctors and healthcare specialists,’ commented Campisi. Starting from the sharing of direct experiences, potential critical issues also emerged, such as the attitudes of people who carry out research in a completely arbitrary and autonomous manner, without consulting experts. Among the most appreciated stimuli was the identification of questions to avoid and those to be rephrased, thanks to the help of qualified volunteer operators.
Among the organisations that have joined the programme is Walce Aps, a patient association committed to fighting lung cancer through information and support initiatives for patients and caregivers. ‘I attended both webinars and found them to be complementary,’ said Federica Ferraresi. "Before starting this programme, I always thought that AI could be a great resource for an association like ours, a real game changer, because it can really support our activities and multiply our contacts. I like to think that the impact of artificial intelligence can be compared to that of email compared to typewritten letters. It reduces time and multiplies possibilities, even for small organisations, where human resources work on many different activities. This does not mean that AI can replace us! I don't believe in doom and gloom; it's good not to be held back by fears but to ride the wave of change with the right preparation. The overview of AI in the first meeting was also effective for the more practical approach of the second. Claudia Campisi went into great depth and gave us important guidance on privacy to discourage misuse.
Those who were unable to participate in the live webinars can register on the FMD Academy and watch the recording.
