Strengths and Weaknesses of Korean Medicine as Syndrome-centered Medicine in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

AI시대 증후중심 치료의학으로서 한의학의 장단점

Objectives : Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly utilized in medicine, while traditional medicines, such as Korean Medicine (KM), persist within medical systems. A feature of KM is its diagnostic approach, known as syndrome-centered medicine. Despite its widespread use, it was challenging to utilize AI with KM. Therefore, this study aims to compare strengths and weaknesses of KM in the era of AI. Results : KM faces challenges in data utilization due to the reliance on syndrome-centered medicine, the restoration of data through patient inquiries, and the uncertainty surrounding syndromes. Despite these challenges, syndrome-centered medicine offers strengths. It provides immediacy, simultaneity, and safety for patients and cost-effectiveness, physician-led initiatives, patient satisfaction, and rapid responsiveness for doctors. However, there are significant weaknesses. For patients, it may be inefficient for severe uncertain indicates, and limited data access. Academically, KM's foundation in traditional theories complicates the pursuit of quantitative research. This hinders objectivity, standardization, and certainty, undermining confidence in its efficacy. Socially, it has isolated KM, creating educational difficulties and worsening its credibility and the relationship. diseases, ambiguous, and harmful due to reliance on patient initiative. For doctors, it involves risks as incorrectness, overdependence on patients, increased workload, ambiguity, inter-professional conflicts, Conclusion : This study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of syndrome-centered medicine in KM. Henceforth, data-driven approaches and transitioning to disease-centered medicine are indispensable. A paradigm shift could facilitate data collection, publish evidence-based policies, and restore public confidence.