AI in Medical Writing

*Disclaimer - this content has been created with the help of AI! As usual, I have used AI tools to support the review and editing process. Typically, my blog posts are 100% human-generated. On this occasion, I thought it might be interesting to use AI to create the draft outline of this content and see what AI has to say about…. Well…. AI!

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an ever-growing phenomenon that has revolutionized the way in which we all interact with the world. The integration of AI into the workplace has arrived at such an incredible pace that we are often left playing catch-up when trying to understand how it can apply to our own industry. While the potential benefits on productivity and creativity are apparent, AI also presents several issues that need to be addressed. Medical writing is one such industry where the use of AI has become hotly contested. This blog explores the use of AI in medical writing and discusses the positives, the negatives, and the potential impact such changes may have on the future of our industry.

Background

The Rise of AI

Hardly a day goes by when Artificial Intelligence is not somehow present in my working life. From discussions on LinkedIn to the use of productivity tools, the impact AI is having cannot be overstated. Initially just a niche academic and research tool, the expansion of AI into daily life has developed rapidly with little sign of slowing down. The benefits of technology that augments tasks once reserved exclusively for humans have made its integration into the workplace, including the healthcare sector, irresistible.

The Use of AI in Healthcare

More and more, AI is being rolled out to serve a multitude of purposes in the healthcare sector. From the pattern recognition abilities useful in developing diagnostic tools to the intelligent data gathering vital in creating smart patient management systems, AI can be used to perform tasks that are simply beyond the reach of the human brain. Algorithms can combine information from medical image analysis, patient results and vitals, historical data on patient outcomes, and a multitude of other sources to make smart recommendations about ongoing patient care. AI is even being used to augment surgical robotics, increasing the feasibility of performing highly complex procedures. Overall, AI has the potential to increase accuracy, decrease errors, and improve patient outcomes. But is it all good news? As with any developing technology, over-reliance on fallible technology has the potential to cause harm. AI is always at risk of learning from inaccurate data sources or further compounding existing biases and prejudices. These limitations present a serious concern when relying on these tools for life-and-death decisions.

The Use of AI in Media

Similarly, AI has become a significant tool in the media sector. Tasks such as content generation, data analysis, and establishing a personalized marketing strategy have all seen AI enhancements, driving higher efficiency and engagement in media production. For instance, AI can generate news articles, optimize headlines for maximum click-through rates, and curate personalized content feeds based on user preferences. More streamlined operations and targeted audience engagement ultimately serve to boost revenue for media companies. However, as discussed in the healthcare sector, AI also poses risks when it comes to its use in media. The expansion of fake news and extremist content promotion has, in part, been driven by AI-enhanced algorithms prioritizing divisive (and, as such, highly engaging) content.

The Argument for the Positive Uses of AI in Medical Writing

Supporting Workflow Efficiency

One of the primary benefits and least controversial applications of AI in medical writing is its use in supporting workflow efficiency. AI can handle repetitive tasks, such as formatting documents, checking for grammatical errors, and organizing references. Common software used for administration (email clients, document organizers, etc.) increasingly have AI-integrated features designed to optimize their usefulness. For instance, I regularly use AI to help sort communications, integrate information into calendars and file stores, and generate reminders to help organize my working day. AI also has the ability to aid in designing templates and creating automated action responses based on pre-defined guidelines. All these time-saving efficiencies free up time for writers to spend on more creative and complex aspects of their work, ultimately delivering a higher-quality product to the client.

Brainstorming New Content

AI can also be a valuable tool for brainstorming new content. By analyzing existing materials and trends, AI can generate fresh ideas and perspectives, aiding writers in the creative process. For instance, AI can identify gaps in current literature, suggest relevant topics, and even propose potential research questions. This capability can be particularly beneficial for medical writers who need to stay current with the latest developments in their field. AI-driven chatbots can also be tasked with ‘fleshing out’ ideas. For example, prompts on a desired topic can be given, and the user can query the chatbot to consider interesting subtopics, areas of discussion, or further relevant content to help increase the richness of the final content produced.

The Use of AI Writing Tools

One of the more controversial uses of AI in medical writing is its application in the actual content writing process. AI writing tools can assist in drafting, editing, and proofreading, ensuring that content is both high-quality and scientifically accurate. These tools can significantly reduce the time and effort required to produce polished, professional documents. For example, AI-powered grammar checkers can identify and correct errors that might be overlooked by human editors. Additionally, AI can enhance the readability and clarity of medical content, making complex information more accessible to a broader audience. No need for the human, right? The second half of this blog will explore some of the issues with this approach.

The Issues with the Use of AI in Medical Writing

False Attribution of Genuine Work as AI-Written

Anecdotally, it appears that one of the biggest challenges facing medical writers regarding the expansion of AI is clients' false attribution of 100% human-written content as being, in part, AI-generated. The use of tools to check for AI-written work has become commonplace among clients wishing to ensure the authenticity of paid-for content. However, there seems to be little understanding of the reliability (or, more accurately, the lack of reliability) of said tools. Several professional writers on LinkedIn have shared stories of having awkward conversations with long-term clients who have started to flag their content as partially AI-written when this is absolutely not the case. Other excellent writers have shared their individual experiments with AI content checkers, in some cases finding that their work is initially flagged as written by AI until they insert an intentional spelling mistake or grammatical error (thus reassuring the tool that the content is actually human-written). When a professional writer’s job relies on producing excellent quality writing, it is concerning to see that this is being punished in the AI world we live in. Medical writers are facing credible threats to their reputation from these tools, and many of us are having to rely on the goodwill and understanding of clients when these issues arise.

Genuine Misuse of AI-Generated Content

Despite the clear problems with AI-checking tools, their use has become necessary for many as more and more AI content is being passed off as human-written. Those acting in bad faith can often be seen offering extremely affordable medical writing services with impossibly fast turnaround times. In reality, many of these offerings are purely copy-paste responses from AI queries, sold as unique human-written content. Such practices raise profound ethical concerns about the reliability of the information contained within the product delivered, as well as the integrity of those taking payment for such services. Remaining unchallenged this can result in a flood of low-quality content saturating the market, making it harder for genuine writers to compete and damaging the profession’s overall reputation.

Impact on Availability of Work for Medical Writers

As companies increasingly turn to AI for content creation, there is a potential impact on the availability of work for medical writers. Although it may be tempting to feel reassured that AI cannot write to the same level as a human professional, this doesn’t completely negate its impact. For example, organizations may use AI tools to generate ‘simple’ internal-facing content such as reports, newsletters, or educational materials. Although this kind of work may not be the most interesting content to write, it is often the bread and butter of the work a freelancer can fulfill for a regular client in between projects. This introduces a greater level of instability in the baseline cash flow for freelancers. Furthermore, as the quality of AI-written content slowly improves, companies will continue to use these tools for more and more technical projects, squeezing out medical writers from the equation.

Potential for Incorrect Information to Become Source Material Online

It will come as a surprise to no one that AI is not infallible. In fact, these tools are notorious for producing incorrect or heavily misleading information. Currently, the ability of AI to assess the credibility and accuracy of input information is still fairly poor. This inaccuracy can cause problems in all sectors but, arguably, none more so than in healthcare. Poor medical advice can directly negatively affect public health and individual patient outcomes. For example, an AI-generated medical article might contain subtle errors or outdated information that could mislead healthcare professionals or patients. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content is crucial to maintaining the integrity of medical information and the profession at large.

Summary

(100% AI written btw…..)

While AI offers promising advantages in medical writing, it is essential to address the associated challenges. Striking a balance between leveraging AI's capabilities and preserving the integrity and value of human writers is crucial for the future of medical writing. By understanding and mitigating the risks, we can harness the full potential of AI while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy in medical content. As the field continues to evolve, ongoing dialogue and collaboration between AI developers, medical writers, and regulatory bodies will be key to navigating the complexities and maximizing the benefits of AI in medical writing.