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As students interested in entering the healthcare field, we found great interest in
your AI-Aided stethoscope study. Given the challenges in accessing routine primary
care, the need for a remote form of care such as AI is at an all-time high. Do you think
AI technologies will be useful in improving access to care in the home setting? Would
use of a similar device transfer across other countries? This study in Poland focused on
the success level of exacerbation detection in patients with asthma in an at-home
setting. Given that Poland provides universal health care, one can assume that
accessibility to AI technologies is equitable. However, in other nations such as the US
which does not have universal health care, how would distribution of a similar device be
established? Especially for those with limited socioeconomic resources, it could be
more difficult depending on the cost.
Another question we pondered was how the AI stethoscope learning process
would be facilitated if the tool is eventually distributed to other countries. Particularly for
those with limited technology access, there would have to be some sort of training to
ensure it can be used correctly.
The detection levels were found to be most successful in young children under
the age of 5 years. This result made us wonder if it was challenging for the parents to
use this new AI technology and also make sure the results were still valid. Is it possible
that incorrect testing performances by parents skew results and could contribute to high
detection levels in young children?