The medicine of the past, present, and future generations: From Sir William Osler to ChatGPT

Innovation and discovery are the drivers of progress in medicine, which is an ever-changing science. Core concepts in current medical practice include patient-centered and high-value care, evidence-based and personalized medicine, and digital health, that is gaining momentum. Rampant progress is seen in technology development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models such as ChatGPT. Their use in medicine has promising perspectives, conditioned by adequate regulations, based on ethical principles and human-rights, to ensure safety of patient data, fact accuracy, and general applicability.

The future of medicine should aim for universal health coverage, facilitated by digital medicine and guided by empathy and compassion. Human interaction will remain a mainstay in medical practice, and ideally technology will provide the much-needed time for doctor–patient bonding. Climate change, cyber security, and access to basic care are some of the challenges to be resolved in the years to come.

Future medical care should find the balance between high tech and high touch and aim to for global availability.