RoboDoc in Detroit: CBS Medical Report

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the deployment of robots in the Detroit Medical Center, focusing on their role in assisting medical professionals and the implications of technology in healthcare. Participants explore the functionality of these robots, their interactions with hospital systems, and the broader impact of automation in medical settings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that robots can allow doctors to be present at multiple locations simultaneously, enhancing efficiency in patient care.
  • There is a suggestion that robots might be better at recalling medical information than humans, with some arguing that this could shift the role of doctors to oversight rather than direct patient interaction.
  • One participant expresses a preference for doctors to interact with patients while robots handle administrative tasks, indicating a belief in the importance of human touch in healthcare.
  • Several comments highlight the humorous aspects of robot functionality, such as their ability to communicate with elevators, leading to playful banter about the robots' capabilities.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliability of the technology, with jokes made about potential failures if the robots were to operate on problematic software.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the role of robots in healthcare, with some supporting their use for efficiency and others emphasizing the need for human interaction. The discussion remains unresolved, with no clear consensus on the optimal balance between human and robotic roles in medical settings.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various assumptions about the capabilities of robots and the nature of medical practice, but these assumptions are not universally accepted or explored in depth.

Ivan Seeking
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(CBS) If you roam the corridors of the Detroit Medical Center these days you might see something a little unusual: robots making rounds.

As CBS News Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Kaledin reports, the medical center has deployed 10 of these 5-foot,7-inch, 220-pound bundles of technological innovation aimed at improving medicine.

They don't operate alone, of course. Through the Internet, a doctor is always at the helm.

The beauty of it is really pretty simple. Doctors can be two places at once. They can be in the office or even at home looking at charts and records and be at the patients bedside at the same time. [continued with Video]
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/31/eveningnews/main684453.shtml


The irony is that in many ways computers make much better doctors than do humans. It has been argued in the sci/tech media that the recall of facts and information required to make diagnoses and to prescribe treatments will be the computer's job, with humans providing higher level support and oversight... hopefully. :rolleyes:
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
They don't operate alone, of course. Through the Internet, a doctor is always at the helm.
I can envision myself have an obscene amount of fun after hijacking the command frequency for those things... :devil:

Which way to the gynecology ward?
 
You know, somehow I just think I'd prefer having the doctor seeing the patients and the robot filling out charts and handling paperwork.

Suddenly the robot in our hospital seems so insignificant. We have one that runs around the hospital delivering supplies instead of needing to send staff out to pick up supplies. It's rather surprising the first time you run into it in the hospital basement because it looks pretty much like any other supply cart except it has a lens mounted in front (motion sensor or something so it doesn't run anyone over), so you think a supply cart is just moving on its own. It talks to the elevators too. :bugeye:
 
Moonbear said:
It talks to the elevators too.
That's pretty elitist! We have to push buttons on ours.
 
Danger said:
That's pretty elitist! We have to push buttons on ours.

Yeah, well us ordinary humans have to push buttons too, but the robot says, "Calling elevator" and the elevator arrives for it.
 
Moonbear said:
the robot says, "Calling elevator" and the elevator arrives for it.
So just tape it, then play it back when you want a lift.







(I know, I know...it just says that for human benefit while radioing for the elevator. But why let reality get in the way of a cheap joke?)
 
Danger said:
But why let reality get in the way of a cheap joke?)

Good thing you got that joke cheap. Wouldn't have wanted you to pay full price for it. :biggrin:
 
I think the last time Danger paid full price for something was, hmm, no. Let's keep that our little secret...
 
brewnog said:
I think the last time Danger paid full price for something was, hmm, no. Let's keep that our little secret...
Yes, remember who your friends are. I didn't have to warn you, you know.
 
  • #10
Ivan Seeking said:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/31/eveningnews/main684453.shtml


The irony is that in many ways computers make much better doctors than do humans. It has been argued in the sci/tech media that the recall of facts and information required to make diagnoses and to prescribe treatments will be the computer's job, with humans providing higher level support and oversight... hopefully. :rolleyes:


it better not be running on windows...
 
  • #11
kaos said:
it better not be running on windows...
Cripes! That would bring a whole new definition to the term 'crash cart'. :eek:
 
  • #12
Danger said:
Cripes! That would bring a whole new definition to the term 'crash cart'. :eek:
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #13
Moonbear said:
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
Thanks, but I know perfectly well that at least 3 of you would have done the same thing. I just happened to get there first. :smile: