Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) has become the first medical school in the Netherlands to integrate a dedicated course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology into its curriculum for first-year medical students. This initiative reflects the growing importance of technology in healthcare and aims to prepare future physicians to effectively utilize AI and medical technologies in their practice.
The course, coordinated by Marcel Haas of Health Campus The Hague and Marieke van Buchem of CAIRElab, recently debuted as a themed week focusing on various aspects of AI, including predictive models, image recognition, and language models.
Students were introduced to a range of medical technologies, from established tools like blood pressure monitors and MRI scanners to newer innovations such as surgical robots. The curriculum also addressed the ethical considerations of using AI in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of critical evaluation and responsible implementation. The course aims to equip future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by these technologies.
The introduction of this course was met with positive responses from students, who acknowledged the increasing relevance of AI in medicine. They expressed the importance of understanding these technologies early in their education, anticipating that AI will play a significant role in their future medical careers.
