Chandigarh:
“Technology can assist doctors but can never substitute human experience, compassion and the emotional touch,”: Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER
“Compassion, integrity, ethics and a patient-centric approach are the core values that will continue to define the medical profession in the era of rapidly advancing technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI),” said Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER Chandigarh, while inaugurating the Annual PGI Arthroplasty Conference 2026 as Chief Guest.
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, PGIMER Chandigarh, is organising the conference under the aegis of the Arthroplasty Society of Tricity from 17–19 September 2026 at The Lalit, Chandigarh. The theme is “Mastering the Precision and Newer Techniques in Joint Replacement.”
Addressing distinguished medical professionals, senior specialists, young doctors and students, Prof. Lal emphasised the importance of keeping the patient at the centre of healthcare and adopting a comprehensive approach to clinical care as he stated, “It is important that we keep the patient in the centre of whatever we do. They are our biggest assets.”
Stressing that medicine cannot be practised in silos when patients require expertise from multiple disciplines, Director PGIMER said, “That is where the role of a neurologist, the role of an internist and the role of other domains of medicine comes into being. Medicine cannot be practised in silos when the patient requires a comprehensive approach.”
Speaking about the growing influence of AI in healthcare, Prof. Lal said technology should remain an aid to doctors and not a replacement for human experience and judgement.
“AI may help me, and it may be very good and fantastic, but I don’t think it can substitute for the experience of your hands, ” as hedescribed AI as a transformative technology while emphasising the need for responsible engagement with its implications.
Prof. Lal said that preserving the human dimension of medicine would become increasingly important as technology advances.
“If you want to maintain sanity in medicine, it is ultimately our emotional touch, our compassion, our patient-centric approach, and our alignment of thought and action towards the well-being of humanity.”
Director PGIMER also urged young doctors to focus on professional excellence, clinical skills and integrity rather than commercial considerations. “A fast buck comes fast and goes fast. It is better you calibrate your skills and hone your clinical skills so that patients come after you, rather than you going after patients.”
Calling medicine a noble profession, Prof. Lal said healthcare professionals have a responsibility towards society and must preserve the trust placed in them by patients.
Concluding his address, Prof. Lal reiterated the importance of maintaining compassion, integrity and ethics alongside scientific and technological progress as he said, “I see no reason why we should falter on the front of compassion, on the front of integrity and ethics.”
Earlier, Prof. Vijay G. Goni, Head, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlighted the evolution of contemporary arthroplasty and the growing role of personalised planning, precision surgery, navigation and robotics.
“Orthopaedic surgery now involves a much broader spectrum, including patient selection, personalised planning, precision surgery and enhanced recovery. We are witnessing the growing use of navigation, robotics and other advanced technologies for complex as well as primary procedures. But while technology and techniques continue to evolve, the central principle remains unchanged—the patient has to remain at the centre of everything we do.”
Prof. Goni said the conference provides a platform for experts and young professionals to exchange experience and discuss challenging cases.
“Over the next few days, we have brought together experts from different institutions and different areas of expertise to share their experience, discuss challenging cases, question established practices and, most importantly, learn from each other.”
Highlighting the practical component, Pro0f. Goni added, “Yesterday, we had a pre-conference cadaver workshop, where we conducted workshops on complex and primary surgery and also had exposure to robotics.”
The Annual PGI Arthroplasty Conference 2026 includes the 3rd PGI Arthroplasty Course, live surgical demonstrations, a cadaveric workshop, hands-on learning, expert national and international faculty and case-based discussions. The programme focuses on precision and newer techniques in joint replacement.
The scientific sessions cover contemporary approaches to total knee arthroplasty, personalised alignment, navigation, robotics, complex primary procedures, Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) for hip replacement and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA). Hands-on training includes cadaveric and saw-bone based learning, including manual and robotic techniques.
Dr. Deepak, Organising Secretary of the conference, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the meeting and expressed his gratitude to the faculty and delegates for their participation. The conference has brought together distinguished faculty from leading institutions across India, along with international faculty from Australia and Afghanistan, providing a truly diverse platform for academic exchange and sharing of surgical experience. He said that the participation of senior experts, young surgeons and trainees would make the meeting an important forum for discussion, learning and collaboration in the evolving field of joint replacement.
The conference brings together experts from leading institutions across the various countries to facilitate knowledge-sharing and practical learning, with emphasis on appropriate patient selection, personalised planning, surgical precision, evidence-based decision-making, enhanced recovery and long-term patient outcomes.
