AI based mid level provider

[nastle]

Is it possible with existing technology to replace mid level primary care providers with AI based robots ? I’m not talking about a human looking one but simply a device that can run a diagnostic and treatment algorithm

[CordMcNally]

Why would that just replace mid levels and not physicians? Running diagnostic tests and treatments based on patient inputed symptoms are going to lead to ridiculous workups and crazy treatments, not to mention bad medicine. What do you suggest for the many patients with pan-positive review of systems?

[HikingDO]

Could you imagine a fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue patient coming in to see an AI provider? Each office visit would end with $20,000 in tests being ordered. Of course, the fibromyalgia patient and hospital group (who runs and owns all the testing equipment) would love it.

[CordMcNally]

The truth is that people who could safely be evaluated by AI are the same people who are most likely to get better with no treatment.

[AR]

I think you all are severely underestimating the potential power of AI. AI replacing a lot of doc functions will happen. It's just a matter of time.

I don't think we're that close. But it will happen. It is inevitable.

[Random1]

You can see the google doc for free , or you can pay to see your own doc ? What do you think most patients will choose first ? If 90% of the nonsense gets filtered out , medicine may be a whole lot less busy.

Patient - " I have a cough and sorethroat"

AI - where do you want me to send the zpack and medrol dose pack

[nastle]

I think you all are severely underestimating the potential power of AI. AI replacing a lot of doc functions will happen. It's just a matter of time.

I don't think we're that close. But it will happen. It is inevitable.

Yes indeed we sound like the battleship admirals before World War I talking about submarines

[nastle]

Could you imagine a fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue patient coming in to see an AI provider? Each office visit would end with $20,000 in tests being ordered. Of course, the fibromyalgia patient and hospital group (who runs and owns all the testing equipment) would love it.

Isn’t that what a lot of “ providers” do anyway ?

[StarTrekDoc]

The truth is that people who could safely be evaluated by AI are the same people who are most likely to get better with no treatment.

That's the dirty secret of medicine. Many times the human body simply will heal itself.

The power of AI will be like the power of the EHR. It'll help diagnostics and efficiency, but with a cost of higher workload oversight.

Companies may employ provider AI but will have a human element eventually signing off on things.

Folk already Google doc things all the time anyways. That's a reality. Same as autopilot and all other things automation.

People will want a human element at the end though so job security not an issue.

How it looks will certainly be different with AI entering the equation

[HikingDO]

Isn’t that what a lot of “ providers” do anyway ?

yep, pretty much.

[legobikes]

You guys realize AI isn't intelligence, right? Intelligence requires consciousness. Algorithmic processing of human data, which is always a highly incomplete metric (by any metric), given that it does not incorporate anything supratentorial, or human character for that matter, will never be a good diagnostic tool. It will overall worsen the quality of care.

Ever try to guess the diagnosis from the CC blurb in clinic or the ED? Ever notice how wrong you can be? It's like that, but with more steps, and someone getting rich. Also opens the path for legal and bureaucratic deflection in the same way as the machine has in other areas of life. "Sorry, I'd like to help you, but the computer won't let me."

[Sigrid]

AI can't even read an EKG correctly. I'm not worried about my job.

[nastle]

I don’t think physicians of any kind need to be threatened by AI in the near future but I don’t see how it cannot be a substitute for Midlevels in the coming years esp since it will be a lot cheaper than hiring humans which is the biggest reason why mid levels use is justified

[nastle]

AI can't even read an EKG correctly. I'm not worried about my job.

How many primary care midlevels can ?

[AR]

AI can't even read an EKG correctly. I'm not worried about my job.

Are you sure about that? There are definitely published studies of AI doing well in some aspects of ECG interpretation.

It's only going to get better and it's not going to take that long.

If AI can't read an EKG as good as a cardiologist in 20 years, I will be shocked.

I still don't think you need to worry about your job, though.