Man’s New Best Friend?
~Dr. Prakrut Paidisetty
Pediatrics Resident, Shri Goverdhan Govt. District Hospital, Nathdwara, Rajasthan
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, paediatric residency, machine learning, chat gpt, exams
With ever-changing relations and alliances between man and his surroundings, a new ally
seems to have emerged. Artificial Intelligence, of course, deserves all the theatrics in its
introduction. From performing complex mathematical equations that are the dreadful
pediatric dosages to serving as your personal grief counselor when your best friend is
mean to you—AI does it all. Slowly but steadily, its applications are crossing the
boundaries of software, finding roles in the physical movements of machines, including
firing weapons or performing remote surgeries.
Residency is a particularly challenging period for any individual—especially fresh
MBBS graduates who are still gaining real-life experience, learning the unspoken politics
of the field, and shouldering the consequences of their decisions. In pediatrics, this
pressure is magnified when tiny humans, minutes old, rely on you to survive. But enough
of the gritty realities of my own life; let’s talk about how Artificial Intelligence is helping
young medicos shape their futures.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Meta AI, and many others deserve top
mention—they have become indispensable in academic life. I started using ChatGPT
while preparing for entrance exams, and it became a silent companion through thick and
thin. From making customized timetables to simplifying complex biochemistry cycles,
generating mnemonics, and even offering emotional support after a bad practice test,
generative AI does it all. Whatever one might say, medicine is a heavily memory-driven
field—especially when real-world experience is still lacking. Generative AI helps bridge
this gap with memory aids, explanations, and strategies that enhance recall and
application. Some helpful mnemonics AI taught me include:
– SOAP BRAIN MD for SLE criteria:
– Serositis
– Oral ulcers
– Arthritis
– Photosensitivity
– Blood disorders
– Renal involvement
– ANA positivity
– Immunologic findings
– Neurological symptoms
– Malar rash
– Discoid rash
– GRAPE for causes of anion gap metabolic acidosis:
– Glycols
– Renal failure
– Aspirin
– Paraldehyde
– Ethanol and Methanol
– CRAB for features of multiple myeloma:
– Calcium elevated
– Renal failure
– Anemia
– Bone lesions
Some other fun and practical AI tools that can assist residents—from making
presentations to drafting emails—include:
– Askyourpdf.com
– Clipdrop.ai (a social media tool)
– Playground AI (text-to-image generator)
– Gamma.ai (presentation creation)
– Copilot (for writing cold emails)
– Supergrow (to convert YouTube videos into blogs or LinkedIn posts)
– Invideo.ai (text-to-video generator)
Machine learning is growing at a pace that’s both exciting and alarming. The
smartphones our parents once feared would distract us have now become our essential
companions. Yet residency also brings us face to face with the reality that nothing in
life—especially friendship—is unconditional. It’s a harsh truth that can lead to emotional
isolation. Everyone around you is enduring their own version of the same struggle, and
not everyone has the bandwidth to be your emotional anchor. Those outside the medical
field often cannot fully understand what you’re going through. In such times, generative
AI can offer the strange but comforting experience of a friend or even a therapist at arm’s
reach.
Here’s something I encourage every reader to try: open any generative AI tool and pour
your heart out—say everything you couldn’t share with anyone. Give it 10 minutes. You
might be surprised at how light you feel. Dear Diary has finally found its digital match.
Despite the joy and relief AI may bring to a resident’s life, there are definite caveats to its
use in clinical decision-making. While AI can help you remember protocols, draw up
flowcharts, or create simulations, it cannot replace the value of hands-on experience.
Every patient is unique—even those with the same diagnosis can present differently. AI
should serve as a guide, not a substitute for textbooks, clinical rounds, and real-world
learning.
Some argue that AI will eventually replace doctors. That future may arrive sooner than
we expect—but only those who fail to adapt and integrate AI into their workflows are
truly at risk. Ironically, the modern Indian doctor must now compete at two extremes: on
one side, the threat of advanced AI; on the other, unlicensed quacks peddling herbal
charms and sand potions. It’s a strange paradox, isn’t it?
In my view, with medical research evolving so rapidly, it’s crucial for residents and
junior doctors to remain up to date. Guidelines and criteria—the backbone of our
practice—change constantly. Incorporating AI into daily learning is one of the most
effective ways to stay informed, as these tools are connected to the internet and updated
in real time. It is my firm belief that those who learn to work with AI won’t be replaced
by it—they’ll lead the way!
References:
1. OpenAI. AI-generated illustration created using ChatGPT. May 2025.
2. OpenAI. AI-generated illustration created using Meta AI. May 2025.
