Health system gaps, rather than individual doctor error alone, may contribute to preventable patient harm, with unsafe care linked to around 3 million deaths globally, experts said during a discussion on patient safety in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). The discussion highlighted the increasing complexity of clinical decision-making and the need for systems that can provide clinicians with additional safety support. A typical outpatient department (OPD) doctor may begin work at 8:30 AM and examine 80 to 100 patients during a single shift, sometimes spending less than three minutes with each patient.

The workload can extend beyond consultations to ward rounds, emergency cases, and mandatory case documentation. Experts emphasized that a demanding workload does not justify medical negligence or inappropriate clinical decisions. However, they also noted that doctors are human and…