Utilizing an artificial intelligence framework (conditional generative adversarial network) to enhance telemedicine strategies for cancer pain management

• Published in: Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online) Analgesia and Critical Care (Online), 2023-06, Vol.3 (1), p.19-19, Article 19
• Main Authors: Cascella, Marco, Scarpati, Giuliana, Bignami, Elena Giovanna, Cuomo, Arturo, Vittori, Alessandro, Di Gennaro, Piergiacomo, Crispo, Anna, Coluccia, Sergio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Cancer; Cancer pain; Conditional generative adversarial network; Data analysis; Datasets; Deep learning; Machine learning; Medical personnel; Metastasis; Narcotics; Neural networks; Original; Pain management; Patients; Probability distribution; Telemedicine; Variables
• ISSN: 2731-3786; 2731-3786
• DOI: 10.1186/s44158-023-00104-8

The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has significant potential to revolutionize the delivery of medical services, particularly in the field of telemedicine. In this article, we investigate the capabilities of a specific deep learning model, a generative adversarial network (GAN), and explore its potential for enhancing the telemedicine approach to cancer pain management. We implemented a structured dataset comprising demographic and clinical variables from 226 patients and 489 telemedicine visits for cancer pain management. The deep learning model, specifically a conditional GAN, was employed to generate synthetic samples that closely resemble real individuals in terms of their characteristics. Subsequently, four machine learning (ML) algorithms were used to assess the variables associated with a higher number of remote visits. The generated dataset exhibits a distribution comparable to the reference dataset for all considered variables, including age, number of visits, tumor type, performance status, characteristics of metastasis, opioid dosage, and type of pain. Among the algorithms tested, random forest demonstrated the highest performance in predicting a higher number of remote visits, achieving an accuracy of 0.8 on the test data. The simulations based on ML indicated that individuals who are younger than 45 years old, and those experiencing breakthrough cancer pain, may require an increased number of telemedicine-based clinical evaluations. As the advancement of healthcare processes relies on scientific evidence, AI techniques such as GANs can play a vital role in bridging knowledge gaps and accelerating the integration of telemedicine into clinical practice. Nonetheless, it is crucial to carefully address the limitations of these approaches.