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Cited by 8Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and EducationClinical Reasoning and Diagnostic SkillsTechnology and Human Factors in Education and Health

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Cognitive Aids, Artificial Intelligence, and Deskilling in Medicine: The History of an Enduring Anxiety

Lea, Andrew S.·2026·NEJM AI
DOI 10.1056/aip2500932
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Abstract

AbstractThis perspective explores the history of deskilling concerns in the wake of new reference tools and cognitive aids in medicine, whether they be books, pocket guides, filing systems, or modern digital technologies. Present-day discussions about the consequences of cognitive offloading with AI are part of this long lineage. A historical perspective sharpens these conversations by demonstrating that ideas about what counts as a skill are themselves historically situated and that technologies are adopted in varied and contingent ways, with different implications for the cognitive practices of physicians.

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Research works printed but not linked: 18

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Metadata

Authors
Lea, A. S.
Affiliations
University of Rochester Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Lea, Andrew S.
ORCID
Lea, Andrew S.
Venue
NEJM AI
Publisher
Massachusetts Medical Society
Published
2026-01-01
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
AIp2500932-AIp2500932
ISSN
2836-9386 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1056/aip2500932
OpenAlex
W7115918263
Cited by
8
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 8
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • NEJM AI (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Skills
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Technology and Human Factors in Education and Health
Keywords
cognitive aids, artificial intelligence in healthcare, deskilling, medical education, history of medicine, physician competence, clinical decision-making
MeSH terms
Artificial Intelligence, Humans, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century

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