Who is a new generation doctor?
This specialty is dictated by the need to keep pace with technological developments and make timely adjustments to clinical practice. Progressive in this context implies the ability, in parallel with technological capabilities, to change approaches to primary and laboratory diagnostics of various diseases for the purpose of accurately determining the etiological causes.
This places a high demand on the new generation of doctors to have competencies in several sciences simultaneously, such as bioinformatics, genetics, biochemistry and microbiology, as basic subjects. For example, an additional and mandatory course in doctor’s residency should also be AI and professional work with it. It is important to emphasize, working with it, not replacing work with it.
Why does a neurologist need to know microbiology?
For example, when diagnosing a central nervous system disease like multiple sclerosis, in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting signal transmission, a neurologist relies on early, pronounced symptoms. The leading method for
confirming multiple sclerosis is magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord, which can detect plaques—foci of demyelination. After MRI confirmation of multiple sclerosis, a neurologist prescribes anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medications in 99% of cases.
And here we come to an important point: certain bacteria, such as Acinetobacter, can reduce the production of regulatory T cells, promoting an attack on the myelin of nerve cells. Also, given certain viruses, including the long lived Epstein-Barr virus, can trigger the formation of autoimmune antibodies that attack the myelin of nerve cells. A neurologist’s expertise in microbiology and virology is crucial here, as it helps determine the underlying causes of the diagnosed disease, not just address the symptoms.
Why should a surgeon be able to work professionally with AI?
For example, if we take a surgical oncologist, who first identifies the tumor’s location, he must then know the extent of adjacent tissue damage to decide on the tumor’s resection area. It is important to understand the surgeon’s expertise in the risk of tumor spread to other organs and the potential alternatives to non-invasive treatment.
Acquiring and in-depth analysis of thousands of tumor removal surgeries performed, along with clinical outcomes, will allow surgical oncologists to minimize risks and select the optimal surgical approach.
What core competencies should a professional 21st century doctor possess to maximize diagnostic accuracy and minimize harm to the patient?
Analytical skills, anatomical knowledge, and several basic subjects such as bioinformatics, genetics, microbiology and virology, and biochemistry.
Analytical skills deserve special mention as the most important quality and indicator of professionalism in a 21st century doctor. Why? For example, a neurologist, when confronted with back or brain pain, will overwhelmingly order an MRI to identify the visible location of degenerative changes in the patient. If nothing is found, he will, again, refer the patient to another doctor. Here, the patient’s condition is directly affected by the neurologist’s level of analytical expertise in related medical fields, as the time it takes to reach a definitive diagnosis increases significantly.
It is also important to note that working with related medical fields is, in principle, impossible without strong analytical thinking and systems analysis.
“A professional doctor of the 21st century is first and foremost a strong analyst and, secondly, a physician!”
Egger Mielberg, founder of Arllecta Group, biotechnologist, clinical diagnostic laboratory physician, laboratory geneticist, medical microbiologist and mathematician.
