Happenings in Pathology:
Artificial Intelligence: A Canvas for Healthcare Transformation
Drs. Lena Jafri and Shanzay Rehman, Clinical Chemistry
The healthcare landscape is continuously disrupted by innovations targeting medical technology, delivery models, and pharmaceutical breakthroughs, aimed at enhancing patient care, improving clinical outcomes, and embracing technological advancements. Examples include robotic-assisted surgery, personalized medicine, telemedicine, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
AI is revolutionizing medical education, necessitating the development of new skills among healthcare professionals. Effective change management is essential for hospitals to navigate these shifts and integrate advancements into clinical service and research. Establishing a structured action plan enables smooth transitions, ultimately enhancing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Our main objective was to develop a framework for integrating Artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education, research, and in-service practices. Our plan was formulated in three phases. For phase 1 and 2 we conducted need assessment interviews and hosted a workshop based on the SWITCH: Elephant, Rider, and Path model.
For phase 3 of our study we hosted a workshop on 26th April 2024. The primary aim of our workshop was to finalize and review an action plan for integrating AI into health care practice using the data from phases 1 and 2. However we approached this workshop with a unique perspective. Instead of using traditional methods, we provided the participants with canvases and paints and asked them to paint their views on AI into health care. This activity not only fostered a creative environment, by allowing participants to openly share their ideas but also underscored a profound perspective that no matter how advanced technology may be it cannot replace the power of the human mind and human imagination. Participants provided a diverse range of interpretations ranging from vibrant and optimistic ones, depicting the positives of AI to more ominous ones reflecting their fears and uncertainties about this emerging technology. Additionally the participants also expressed the multilayered relationship between lab data and AI adding further depth to the discussions.
Our second activity consisted of the gallery walk aimed at explaining the concept of the SWITCH frame work more thoroughly. Three boards were set up representing the rider (analytical aspect), the elephant (emotional aspect) and the path (the external aspect). Each board contained a list of challenges, experiences and future insights on how AI can be incorporated into health care by focusing on the analytical, emotional and external changes. The participants were tasked with walking around each group and deciding if each element belonged to its respective group. This activity helped the participants in grasping the SWITCH model and also facilitated the sharing of ideas.
For our last activity the participants were then divided into three groups each group representing the rider, the elephant and path. The document was divided into three sections and all groups were assigned a separate section to review. This activity allowed groups to closely work on each section of the document. Once completed, the finalized document was then shared with the participants and further changes were incorporated. Overall, our workshop provided a platform for insightful discussions and artistic expressions, offering valuable perspectives on the complex relationship between AI and healthcare. It also brought together professionals from different fields of health care fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and unique sharing of ideas. By the end of the workshop successfully achieved our goal on reviewing and finalizing the action plan, ending the workshop on a positive note.
Picture 1: Small Group Discussions while reviewing the action plan
Picture 2: Participants of the workshop holding their completed paintings
Empowering Sustainability: The Green Assembly
Farhat Jahan, Clinical Chemistry
We held a Green Assembly at the section of Chemical Pathology on June 5, 2024, in line with the World Environment Day to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship. The assembly's mission was to involve all staff in activities emphasizing the crucial role of a Green Lab, fostering a strong sense of unity and recognize our Green Guardians.
Dr. Erum Khan, Chairperson of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, emphasized the urgent need for adopting greener practices, both on an individual level and collectively as a department, to ensure a sustainable future. The Green Lab team members shared their experiences of Green initiatives taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the lab, including moving towards e-reporting, energy saving through optimizing energy consumption by instruments, and waste segregation to improve waste disposal. Each member spoke for one minute, highlighting the importance and environmental impact of these Green Lab initiatives, such as online reporting, double-sided printing, online quality control review process, online assessments, segregation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, safe chemical disposal, and energy-saving measures of shutting down small equipment during off-hours, properly closing fume hoods, and regularly cleaning and defrosting freezers/refrigerators and use of energy-efficient lights.
Picture 1: Ms Rizwana sharing the Green
Laboratory Initiatives taken by Clinical Chemistry
Following this, Ms Rizwana shared the areas where green Lab initiative have been taken, such as water management, energy management, waste management, and chemical management (Picture 1). To make the event more engaging, a quiz on the Green Lab and environmental issues was held. Staff who answered correctly received beautiful table plants. Additionally, small plants were awarded to staff members who chose stairs over the lift and to active participants in the Green Lab initiatives. The assembly concluded with the national anthem and a group photo (Picture 2), marking the end of this wonderful and inspiring event (Picture 3).
Picture 2: Group Picture of the Green Assembly Participants.
Picture 3: The Green Assembly at Clinical Chemistry
