Protecting health with data medicine
As part of the Festival of Economics, an important meeting entitled ‘Protecting Health with Data Medicine’ was held on May 24. During the event in the crowded reception hall of Palazzo Geremia, experts from the health sector and professionals discussed the challenges and opportunities related to the use of technology and big data in health care. The protagonists of this discussion were Monica Moroni, researcher, mathematician and neuroscientist at Trento-based Fondazione Bruno Kessler, who contributed to the debate with her in-depth knowledge in the field of data analysis research.
Paolo Di Giorgio, CEO of Angelini Ventures, a leading investor in healthcare startups, brought his experience in the world of medical innovation, highlighting the importance of the adoption of digital tools that are emerging and the approach to innovative therapies. Luca Foresti, an investor in this sector, committed to supporting new technological solutions to improve people’s health, pointed out some of the difficulties of the National Health System: ‘What sense does it make in 2024 that the NHS does not have an App to manage all Italians’ health data? In healthcare, it is the most obvious thing imaginable. But in the PNRR it is not mentioned. And,’ he continued, ’how much does it cost to develop a good app? 100 million? With that kind of money you can make a really good one. Yet to date it is not provided for in the Plan’.
Francesco Romano Marcellino, co-founder and partner of Dst Group, an expert in the field of technology strategies, contributed to the debate with a perspective on data integration in medical practice: ‘The theme now is data interoperability and many companies are investing heavily toward it. In Italy, as is well known, the situation is patchy. ‘Fortunately this problem is being solved with the new Fascicolo Sanitario (Electronic Health Records), but for the adoption of the innovations in clinical practice and in patients it will take time because we have a cultural problem that will require a lot of work.’
FBK researcher Monica Moroni shared interesting thoughts on the impact of AI in the medical field, highlighting the most promising prospects and possible pitfalls: ‘AI,’ said Moroni, ‘is already changing medicine, and its role is set to grow. The models we work on, if built and used correctly, have huge potential, especially for predicting diagnoses, because they are capable of analyzing large amounts of clinical, historical and synthetic data. Another area where these algorithms can improve care is in personalization: AI can tailor therapies to the specific needs of each patient, considering factors such as genetics, lifestyle and individual responses to treatments. Helping to manage healthcare resources more efficiently, optimizing the planning of procedures and the distribution of resources is a goal that all of us scholars and healthcare professionals are striving for’.
Of course,’ Moroni concluded, ’there are pitfalls that should not be underestimated. Integrating AI into clinical practice as a support tool for doctors is key. The risk is that physicians may perceive AI as a threat instead of an allied tool. Furthermore, AI algorithms can contain bias if not trained correctly. It is therefore crucial to ensure that AI serves all categories of patients, avoiding discrimination. This is why collaboration between professionals and AI is crucial’.
AI is already changing medicine, and its role is set to grow.
This was the common thought that emerged during the meeting, which went on to address crucial topics such as data privacy, medical liability, the National Guideline Plan, technology and systems integration, system costs, and the impact of data medicine on public health. But the topic of digital applications and ChatGPT was also touched upon, which sparked debate with the doctors in the room. At the end of the meeting, moderated by journalist Francesca Cerati of Sole24Ore, it emerged how AI represents, despite all the challenges still open, a great opportunity to improve medicine, especially predictive medicine, but it is important to address the risks carefully. Ongoing research and appropriate training of health professionals and practitioners are crucial to maximize the benefits of AI in healthcare.
