Looking to the Future

The physician’s role is continually changing and is sure to undergo significant changes in the near future. Among many other disruptive forces, healthcare continues to become more team- and technology-based. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be an important turning point for the medical profession. One current issue in healthcare is physicians experiencing moral distress due to conflicts between their duty as employees and their ultimate duty to patients. Other imminent changes are coming due to incorporation of technology, in particular, artificial intelligence and telehealth. These changes can be met through the process of lifelong learning, which entails a commitment to continually improve our knowledge and skills to deliver a high standard of care.