The Unionization of Doctors

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As an economist, it strikes me that the incentives to move to a more humane model aren't there. And I would suggest drawing on my extensive bias against the way that the current medical system is structured. It's going to take the unionization of doctors. If we had that, ultimately that could be formed and that would promote activism.

Cardiologist and author Eric Topol talks about his book Deep Medicine with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Topol argues that doctors spend too little face-to-face time with patients, and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is a chance to emphasize the human side of medicine and to expand the power of human connection in healing. Topol surveys the current landscape of the application of technology to health care showing where its promise has been overstated and where it is having the most impact. The conversation includes a discussion of the placebo effect and the importance of the human touch in medicine.