Anesthesiology and AI with Dr. Saha

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Saha shares his journey from the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Michigan to a career in anesthesiology, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence. He explains how AI is beginning to transform anesthesiology, what ethical and legal challenges come with its use in healthcare, and why balancing innovation with responsibility is essential.

Medical Terms in Today’s Episode:

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): A dual MD/PhD program that prepares physician-scientists for careers in research and clinical medicine.

Anesthesiology: A medical specialty that focuses on patient safety and pain management during surgery and procedures.

Digital Anesthesia Record (AIMS): An electronic system that tracks vital signs and patient metrics during surgery.

Agentic AI: AI systems capable of independently performing tasks, such as scanning medical records or literature to support decision-making.

Preoperative Evaluation Clinics: Specialized clinics where patients are assessed and optimized before surgery.

Ethical Issues in AI: Challenges such as AI “hallucinations” (inaccurate outputs), liability in clinical decision-making, and protecting patient privacy under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).