

Health Care at the Breaking Point: Dr. Zak Kohane Returns to NEJM AI Grand Rounds
51 snips Jan 15, 2025
Dr. Zak Kohane, a leading figure in AI and medicine, returns to delve into the pressing challenges within the healthcare system. He highlights the Human Values Project and the pivotal role of AI in bridging gaps caused by doctor shortages. The conversation touches on philosophical discussions about machine psychology in healthcare and the evolving dynamics of doctor-patient relationships. Kohane also emphasizes how multimodal data and AI tools can enhance decision-making, setting the stage for advancements in medical diagnostics and education.
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Healthcare at the Breaking Point
- The medical field is now openly acknowledging its struggles, shifting from "medicine is in trouble" to "AI can help".
- This realization stems from increasing system strain and widespread dissatisfaction among medical professionals.
Compared to What?
- Evaluate AI in medicine against the current, flawed healthcare system, not against superhuman experts.
- AI can elevate average care, assisting practitioners with knowledge, memory, and complex case considerations.
The IV Story
- Zak Kohane recalls a humbling experience where his mentor highlighted the importance of basic facts over complex diagnoses.
- This emphasizes the need for AI to capture the complete clinical picture, not just excel at complex reasoning.