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Recently I have read several articles about how technology will revolutionize medicine and some have even gone so far as to assert that robots will "replace doctors" (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/03/the-robot-will-see-you-now/309216/). In my view, this is absolutely ridiculous and completely stupid. Robots will not replace doctors, they will aid in and streamline the healthcare process.
Firstly, every patient is different. We are not all designed the same way and the technology will not be able to differentiate between patients for quite some time. Self learning and AI technology have a long way to go before this is even remotely possible. Giving a robot a virtual map of the model will not work as this "map" must be customized to each patient.
Secondly, robots don't care. Robots may have algorithms for determining what drugs to shove down one's throat, but they don't care about the work they do or the patients they see. Think about the word healthCARE. In addition to being scientists, doctors must care. Robots only cover half of the issue. I can assure you, I would rather have another human being performing a delicate surgery than some cold metallic robot.
Over time, technology will become highly beneficial to doctors, it will streamline the healthcare process and even allow for fewer tests to be performed (though the atlantic article I linked to says otherwise). This will lower the cost of healthcare in the long run. However, robots will not replace doctors anytime within this century. There are just too many complications that could occur.
Post below with your views.
Firstly, every patient is different. We are not all designed the same way and the technology will not be able to differentiate between patients for quite some time. Self learning and AI technology have a long way to go before this is even remotely possible. Giving a robot a virtual map of the model will not work as this "map" must be customized to each patient.
Secondly, robots don't care. Robots may have algorithms for determining what drugs to shove down one's throat, but they don't care about the work they do or the patients they see. Think about the word healthCARE. In addition to being scientists, doctors must care. Robots only cover half of the issue. I can assure you, I would rather have another human being performing a delicate surgery than some cold metallic robot.
Over time, technology will become highly beneficial to doctors, it will streamline the healthcare process and even allow for fewer tests to be performed (though the atlantic article I linked to says otherwise). This will lower the cost of healthcare in the long run. However, robots will not replace doctors anytime within this century. There are just too many complications that could occur.
Post below with your views.
