Where Is My Profession Heading?
Is It To Hell In A Handbasket?
I overheard my firstborn son discussing AI (Artificial Intelligence) with my wife yesterday following his recent investors conference on AI. He indicated that the gurus of AI predict the doctor is going to be obsolete within a decade.
Could that be the case? His generation is the first, born and raised, on cell phones and computers for learning and social interaction. This generation also thinks the world must use Bitcoin (digital virtual currency) in the future in order to function in the more than modern economy. They seem to accept that existence will mean plugging into the matrix and the only life source needed is electrical current. Walking around with a facial digital interface is the future they envision.
The history of medicine is ancient. Could it all disappear with our latest supercomputers and our massive computer analysis of data? If you can monitor bodily functions, including your excrement as you plop it into the toilet, can’t a phone app notify you of the your health status, diagnosis and provide the next course of action to address this? Sounds very plausible.
Given the Covid 19 pandemic debacle, I would point out this dystopia future will require all human inhabitants agree to be plugged into the matrix. The ultimate socialist health care system could be switched on as soon as We The People agree to allow those devices, combined with a technical algorithm, into our lives.
Sadly, the computer-raised generation seems to have no qualms regarding surrendering themselves, including all their personal biological metrics, to a computer database which will tell them how to eat, sleep, and have their futures directed.
Under the name of health care, it appears society has certainly been willing to give up personal freedom to the collective. This AI story just takes it to the ultimate derivative.
Ultimate, in terms of control, IF society (warning younger generations) continues to complacently allow all aspects of individualism be surrendered to the collective. If we let our government be the payer of this health care AI, as well as allow ourselves to become dependent upon a digital means of exchange, we most certainly will lose all personal identity and freedom to the whim of whomever is designated your government. Remember, whoever holds the gold, decides. In the Matrix, data is the gold.
If You Allow A Computer To Document And Hold All Your Biometrics, Will Your Doctor Disappear?
Maybe- do you feel lucky, Punk?
Don’t get me wrong- I truly believe in liberating patients from dependency on our present sick-care health care system. I actually think personal monitoring and metrics can be very powerful and in fact will likely make hospitals virtual rather than the present monopolies we see entrenched in our United States health care system. I would like to take on that topic in a future Substack.
Yet- will the role of physician be erased from existence? I don’t believe so. The reason is the definition of physician. Amongst the definitions, the one I am speaking to is defined as “a person who is skilled in the art of healing”. For me a physician is an individual who has command of the knowledge of health and disease, combined with a skill or “blessing” for healing. Further, a physician is involved in a mission. Being a physician isn’t a six figure job guarantee with limited work ours and 2 months paid vacation. The academics of it is professional, the label involves a level of commitment beyond a supercomputer. Physicians are flesh and blood, just like patients. Our connection is just that. We are joined in the dance of life. Physicians look out for their patients and help guide them in pursing health and when a patient becomes sick, they are there to diagnose, assist and guide, right up to and including, the experience of death. There is nothing more real and spiritual than that. That, dear readers, won’t disappear because of a supercomputer.
A real physician is a healer and that means there is a real humanistic quality to physicians. A digital lexicon can’t replace that.
Ray Kordonowy MD Said That and He Meant It
AI is a computer. It is loaded with data from books & input from physicians. AI I would think can not think outside the box or understand prayer or the miracle of God. I believe most doctors especially like yourself have more then book knowledge that makes you a great doctor along with doctors like Dr. Steven Goldin my surgeon instead of just a good doctor.
Do I believe somewhere in the distant future AI will assist Healthcare providers. Of coarse. But it will be used as a tool to guide. Not be all inclusive. The humane touch & creativity is needed.
There is something healing about a caring human being that can never be mimicked by a machine.