Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: Will Computers Replace Doctors?
Jan 4, 2020
The podcast explores the fascinating intersection of technology and healthcare. It questions whether AI could one day replace doctors, while highlighting the rise of health apps that empower individuals to take control of their wellbeing. The discussion includes the evolution of robotic surgery and the growing concerns around diagnostic accuracy. Listeners will also discover how innovations in diagnostics are transforming patient care and the crucial balance between technology and human empathy in medicine.
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Avatar Interaction
- In a 2011 World Science Festival panel, a computerized avatar interacted with a woman whose baby had diarrhea.
- The avatar collected symptoms, determined the issue wasn't severe, and scheduled a doctor's appointment, which the mother preferred over human nurses.
Consistent Empathy
- Computers offer consistent empathy, unlike humans who can have bad days or biases.
- This programmed empathy can be surprisingly effective, as humans respond positively even to synthetic care.
Avatar Therapy
- A study revealed that people with anxiety disorders share more with avatar therapists than human ones.
- This suggests avatars can create a safe space, reducing the embarrassment some feel with human interaction.