In the field of health care, many interesting and challenging topics have to be regularly investigated. An understanding of recent discoveries and achievements is not enough to successfully take a course and develop a project. Many tasks have to be done before writing an academic paper, during a working process, and when cooperation is over. In this reflective report, attention will be paid to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care and diabetes management, in particular.
This course has specific goals and outcomes, and this paper aims at discussing the peculiarities of the obtained capstone experience, reflecting on the experiences through the course, and describing project management evaluations. Despite the existing challenges and concerns, this course helps to improve my knowledge about AI and its ethical, social, and security implications. At the end of this reflective practice report, I plan to recognize my strengths and weaknesses in terms of team-working on the project about AI in diabetic retinopathy detection (DRD) and want to determine my future expectations from the chosen course.
Capstone Experience
The core issue of this course included the use of AI techniques and cybersecurity in health care. I began my capstone project by giving a definition and researching the idea of AI with its advantages and threats in different spheres of life, including its direct and indirect impacts on people. Then, I had to narrow down a topic and make sure it was connected to AI innovations that could be implemented in health care.
In my last project, I identified that diabetes is a serious public health issue that requires social and financial expenses to be properly diagnosed and treated. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the complications that may be prevented with the help of computerized image assessment, and AI is a solution that may be implemented. I studied several academic works and research projects to clarify what has already been known about the use of AI techniques in DRD practices and create a solid background for my capstone project.
Much time and certain efforts were spent to configure the AI algorithm for DPD and define dataset and pre-processing considerations. Pre- and post-tests had to be done, and definite numbers were available to understand what results must be achieved, and what biases and errors needed to be avoided. In this case, I discovered such challenges as data volume (transmission capacities to work with gigabytes), external interference (poor image handling), and image processing (poor quality and mismatched tags).
Also, my task was to work with possible social, ethical, and security implications linked with AI use. Such concepts as innovation, mechanization, and technology utilization determined the quality of work that had to be done. Some mechanic mistakes cannot be ignored in such projects because AI algorithms have nothing in common with ethics or legal liabilities. Therefore, as an author of the capstone project, I had to promote safety, transparency, equity, and privacy predict and control biases, and cooperate with patients and healthcare workers to make sure this idea worked effectively.
Course Experience
After my work on a capstone project was over, I got an opportunity to look at what I did and compare my results with the goals and expected outcomes of the course. AI is a broad topic that can be applied in different fields for a variety of purposes. This course made students develop their detailed knowledge and critical understanding of human possibilities within AI technologies. Activities were divided into several sections, including the necessity to cover all the technical aspects of AI in DPD practice, discuss ethical issues of the study, investigate the role of the government in AI control, and focus on practical applications of the gained theoretical knowledge.
To succeed in taking this course, I understood that my priorities should not be focused on one or two aspects of AI in health care. I had to combine theoretical and practical knowledge, use various case studies with AI solutions, and pay attention to both successful and failed projects developed in the past. It was not an easy task, and much time was spent surfing the web and visit local libraries. Communication with technical experts helped me to improve my awareness of Python programming and observe how to apply AI in a working environment.
Finally, AI technologies touch upon the achievements in many spheres of life, and the role of the government cannot be neglected. This body plays an important role in establishing regulations and norms to control human behaviors and the impact on technologies in everyday life. Diabetes is a disease that has already changed the lives of millions of people around the world, and the governments of different countries observe the results that have been achieved and must be demonstrated.
This course was a unique opportunity for me to comprehend what I can personally do to contribute to the healthcare system of my country as a technician and a medical worker. I am satisfied with the experience I received and try not to stop in the chosen direction.
Project Management
Another important aspect of this course was the necessity to develop organizational skills and work in a team. Project management turned out to be an integral part of the working process. For an author of a capstone project, such tasks like editing, proofreading, referencing, structuring, and formatting took much time. Although content had to be properly introduced and expanded in the paper, other details were also a part of a rubric and determined a final grade.
Working in a team was not a new assignment for me, but this time it was challenged by the necessity to combine my medical background, communication skills, technical knowledge, and cooperation. My behavior depended on the roles I should perform during the course. When I need to write a section in a project, I tried to be attentive and follow all the given requirements and recommendations.
In a team, I was not a leader, but my creativity and knowledge were useful for other members, and my opinion was respected. Other students shared their experiences and introduced interesting approaches and ideas. AI in DPD was not out the primary topic, but we came to it after thorough research about AI in the fields of medicine and health. Our cooperation and the chosen team dynamics that “better go about than fall into the ditch” took more time, but it made us confident in every decision.
Challenges
One of the major challenges during this for me was the evaluation of the work done by other members of a team and me. Despite our progress and the ability to answer project questions, some students were confused when the time to proofread the work done came. It was hard to identify the errors in my work because I believed that everything was good. Then, one of our co-participants admitted that good was not enough.
We need to achieve perfect results with a perfect idea. Therefore, my new objective was to strengthen my critical abilities, analytical skills, and evaluations. In addition to reading the studies about diabetes and the use of AI for visual impairment control, I found several past projects in our facility and learned the way of how similar projects were organized. As a result, it was possible to assess the work of the rest of the team and find out what they thought about my progress.
Future Expectations
Taking into consideration the already made achievements and the experience in working with a team, I am going to think about my future projects and the skills that have to be enhanced. For example, I understand that my writing depends on how well I can organize my work and cooperate with people. Therefore, such qualities as a positive attitude towards every activity, and independent and group thinking are those I need to develop and improve constantly.
Being an independent researcher and discoverer is not an easy task in modern science, technology, and medicine. Cooperation and AI knowledge play a critical role in any academic work. My mistakes and obstacles during this course were not in vain. I worked hard to achieve perfect results and demonstrate the high quality of this research. Ethics, security, and the protection of personal information are also considerations that contribute to the creation of a good capstone project. I will improve my learning by reading new academic literature and communicating with writing experts.
Conclusion
This course became a good chance for me to observe what I can do with the already obtained knowledge and what I will be able to do if I continue my education. A working process was not easy, but all the challenges made me stronger as a writer and a researcher. My work in a team had certain benefits because it helped me to improve my communication and assessment skills and define a new scope of creativity and enthusiasm. Now I can say that I am ready for new tasks.