Miller Fisher's Rules and Digital Health: The Best of Both Worlds.

Abstract

Background: Professor Fisher's legacy, defined by meticulous observation, curiosity, and profound knowledge, has established a foundational cornerstone in medical practice. However, the advent of automated algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine raises questions about the applicability of Fisher's principles in this era. Our objective was to propose adaptations to these enduring rules, addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities presented by digital health.

Summary: The adapted rules we propose advocate for the harmonious integration of traditional bedside manners with contemporary technological advancements. The judicious use of advanced devices for patient examination, recording, and sharing, while upholding patient confidentiality, is pivotal in modern practice and academic research. Additionally, the strategic employment of AI tools at the bedside, to aid in diagnosis and hypothesis generation, underscores their role as valued complements to clinical reasoning. These adapted rules emphasize the importance of continual learning from experience, literature, and colleagues, and stress the necessity for a critical approach toward AI-derived information, which further consolidates clinical skills. These aspects underscore the perpetual relevance of Professor Fisher's rules, advocating not for their replacement but for their evolution. Thus, a balanced methodology that adeptly utilizes the strengths of AI and digital tools, while steadfastly maintaining the core humanistic values, arises as essential in the modern practice of medicine.

Key messages: A commitment between traditional medical wisdom and modern technological capabilities may enhance medical practice and patient care. This represents the future of medicine - a resolute commitment to progress and technology, while preserving the essence of medical humanities.