Technology is good, right?
You probably have heard a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving cars. You probably think new technology and automation are good things; they make life better. If we look at politics and economics, one thing related to automation that’s missing in the conversation is that automation takes jobs away. I’m not going to discuss if that’s good or bad.
This article focuses on a more social aspect and how that relates to medical care. The article describes how the change from film based x-rays to digital x-rays. The file format is called DICOMM and I wrote about the before.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChadHaney/posts/5XxbKYFix5q
I agree that technology has made it easier for non-experts, e.g., non-radiologists in this context. However, I also agree that we still need those experts. Even though I’m in radiology, I can say that there are times when I look at an MRI that’s not related to my area of expertise and I struggle with the diagnosis.
I haven’t been active with my medical imaging posts so I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.
Originally shared by KQED
Good. Let us replace criminal investigators and District Attorneys with these. The judge can provide human oversight. Perhaps computer public defenders could perform better with the unreasonable workloads expected of them. Can we replace drone operators with these? Send these “government employees” to work at McDonalds with the rest of us.
This is a great post and definitely something to consider. The “old skills” and “old technology” can do things that digital and electronic technology can’t do. On a very simple level, I was once a forms designer for a manufacturer and hand-drew every line and pasted up all the elements of a layout. A photographer then photographed my form and sent to the printers with a precision negative. If the world is ever without computer access and power for that, it would only be someone like me and a professional photographer that could provide a modern means to print.
Thanks cobalt please. If I remember right, there was a huge demand for COBOL programmer to fix the Y2K problem. Not quite the same scenario as the article but similar to what you’re talking about.
You are right on that programming, I remember. The people who hold what is now “arcane” knowledge are going to be hard to find if a need arises.
My friend’s husband is a radiologist. Not sure which hospital he works at in Chicago.
+cobalt please, I remember those days. I still have a brochure mechanical (paste up, on a board) in the back of my closet.
Chad Haney it happened again recently when NASA needed to “talk” to an old probe they’d sent out in the seventies (Voyager?).
Great post. I’m surprised it wouldn’t already be part of a radiologists job to determine whether specific procedures are necessary. That alone would make them an integral part of the cost saving team.
Thanks Jodi Kaplan, I’ll have to look that up.
You would think, Cass Morrison, but it seems they’ve been bypassed in many cases.
The prevalence of automation and its unprecedented rate of development and deployment lead to two significant issues: further concentration of wealth among the few, and the open question of what we do with all the people – particularly those with highly specialized expertise – that are either rendered jobless or are left living in America or Europe but competing for unsurvivable Bangalore wages.
Michael Verona, in this example, there’s the social side, where you might not see another human the whole day at work.
Chad Haney – That I think that’s increasingly true in most facets of our lives, unfortunately, and it isn’t making us better at interacting with each other.
I have clients that I’ve worked with for years with whom I communicate almost exclusively by email. I’ve never met them, nor any of our collaborating service providers or consultants. The resulting relationships are a bit stunted – highly focused, but transactional and inclined to the impersonal.
At the same time, my work has become solitary and isolating. The old days of going to lunch with a co-worker or working through troubleshooting together feel like relics of the past.
It feels strange to think about this happening in a medical setting, a profession that is literally about preserving humanity.
Is there a middle way?
Michael Verona, I’ve thought about working from home but I know I’d miss the personal interactions.
Radiology technique it’s too expensive I know cuz I’ve gotten several bills
Doug Olds, the alternative is to cut you open. I think most people would prefer the non-invasive aspect of medical imaging. Many countries are able to offer medicine at a much more affordable price. The technology is expensive but the high cost to the patient isn’t dependent on the technology.
Cass Morrison It is part of the job, but referring physicians (and patients) often want studies that aren’t indicated regardless. If we flat out say it’s not indicated, they”ll make up some new thing they’re worried about to justify getting the scan. I’m talking about advanced imaging here (CT, MRI, etc.), not plain x-rays. There’s simply no time to go through all the x-ray requisitions to determine if they’re appropriate or not.
Interesting perspective
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