[Artificial intelligence in the care of geriatric patients-more of a curse or more of a blessing?].

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI) is conquering medicine in many fields. With geriatric patients, it is important not only to understand the decision tree of, for example, a tumor disease, but also to assess their functionality and functional deficits.

METHODS

For potential (urological) care of geriatric patients, AI-supported tumor boards, AI-simulated human interaction, and AI-based polypharmacy tools were identified. The advantages and disadvantages, risks and benefits, and practical aspects are weighed against each other.

RESULTS

The specific characteristics of geriatric patients arise from their multidimensionality. These often involve functional impairments that can only be systematically assessed. The challenge will be to integrate these functional deficits, along with appropriate cut-offs, life expectancy, patient goals, anamnesis, and the potential risks of any therapy, into treatment decisions, in addition to the characteristics of a (tumor) disease. Ensuring the psychosocial care of nursing home residents during times of staff shortages also presents a challenge. "Learning" and "responsive" cuddly toys and robots could provide valuable support in this area. A third application of AI is certainly a comprehensive medication tool that compares multiple databases with the patient's specific needs.

CONCLUSION

AI applications in medicine and urology are inevitable. Their integration into the care of the particularly complex and vulnerable geriatric patient requires careful consideration: What information is needed regarding the patient, their illness, therapy, and therapy risks, and how can this information be applied? The question of whether AI is a curse or a blessing can perhaps currently be rephrased as "opportunities, but also risks."