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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Computers Replacing Doctors?

A computer program that predicts and tells you whether or not you're sick:

How do you feel about that? Telling a very complex computer algorithm (think of it as a very smart "I'm Feeling Lucky" Google search) your symptoms, and in return it tells you what you may have and whether or not you require hospitalization. Its the aim of the Heritage Provider Network. The aim of this is to cut costs of hospitalization, which i agree is a big point of the healthcare issue in our country, but I feel like it may stray from its focus. Using a scientific program can't really be substituted for a real doctor's opinion, and although doctor's may be and are wrong at times, often they can do a better job at diagnosing and treating a patient than an artificial intelligence. Also, why spend so much money developing a computer program that may or may not cut costs for hospitalization when we can simply rework the existing healthcare system that overpays doctors and sinks so much of our money into malpractice insurance and pharmaceutical fees.

Tell me what you think: Good idea, or bad science?

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215314/Health_provider_seeks_algorithm_that_can_predict_illness?source=rss_news

15 comments:

Unknown said...

the future is now

EmoGoth said...

This could turn a lot of otherwise normal people into hypochondriacs.

D22 Zone said...

Great post! Was a really good read! thanks for sharing!

asldkasd said...

I really don't want to quote Dr. House here, but.. People lie. It's a fact. It'll never work without a doctor being able to see through the falsehoods.

RootYourDroid.net said...

I just watched the movie with Bruce Willis, Surrogates, last night!

It was pretty freaky and a very good portrayal of how our lives are going to be if we don't detach ourselves from computers!

freddieblue1 said...

yea i think this might happen

ds said...

When examined you should also check the "doctor" for viruses.

Megan Hansen said...

i don't think it will work too well in the real world

Maddlib said...

It would be a great idea if people weren't inherently dumb. They're going to say they have x or y problems when really they might just be slightly different from the norm and its being highlighted due to the stresses the actual problem is putting on them.

Wayward Disposition said...

Oh Hi Dr. Computer, I'm feeling lucky today. Diagnosis please.

Haha, when you put it like that, it sounds horrible.

However, science is ever more prevalent these days and anything is a possibility. I think computers could be used for surgery overlooked by human surgeons of course in case something goes wrong that the computer doesn't recognize.

Stewart A said...

Doctors are fallible, also all the people i know going to study medicine are real party animals drink+drugs etc :P I know which i'd choose

Antiquated said...

Good read, I think it could be a good idea, I look forward to seeing more about this.

Synetik said...

thanks for sharing

Joe said...

lol, DS I love your comment. What if? you know, what if someone were to hack into the diagnostic doctor computer and end up costing people their health? its sketchy if you ask me.

@Wayward, thats the thing. people don't trust computers when it comes to important things like your health and wellbeing.

Patres said...

Not a good idea. Think about it like this: Autopilots in airplanes are already capable of flying, navigating and landing a plane.
Would you get into an airplane with no pilot?

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