AI found better than doctors at diagnosing, treating patients

[FarCenter]

Applying the same technologies used for voice recognition and credit card fraud detection to medical treatments could cut healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes by almost 50%, according to new research.

The research by Indiana University found that using patient data with machine-learning algorithms can drastically improve both the cost and quality of healthcare through simulation modeling.

The computer models simulated numerous alternative treatment paths out into the future and continually planned and replanned treatment as new information became available. In other words, it can "think like a doctor," according to the university.

...

The artificial intelligence models obtained a 30% to 35% increase in positive patient outcomes, Bennett said.

"And we determined that tweaking certain model parameters could enhance the outcome advantage to about 50% more improvement at about half the cost, he said.

The cost of diagnosing and treating a patient was $189, compared to the treatment-as-usual cost of $497, Bennett said.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9236737/AI_found_better_than_doctors_at_diagnosing_treating_patients

[Laelth]

1. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[Recursion]

2. Markov processes are one of the most important advances of the last century

This is already used in diagnosing engineering problems; this is a great story.

[magical thyme]

10. AI also isn't hampered by exhaustion

or politics, the human factors mentioned below, or any of the other human factors.

I do wonder what diagnosis and treatment they found for $597 though...

[cartach]

12. Or ego and all it's manifestations

exhibited by many doctors. I've been misdiagnosed a few times, once was skin cancer,which really pissed me off. Thanks to the internet I was able to prove my doctor wrong and have often thought that there are more objective methods that would save time and money when the human factor was reduced.

[liberalhistorian]

3. That's because the AI isn't hampered

by human nature, i.e., human biases, prejudices and preconceived notions, which even the most competent, caring doctor is subject to if they're really honest. No one who is human is immune to judgment clouded by such factors.

The AI also isn't motivated by financial factors, such as whether someone is insured, how good it is, how they can pay for it, etc. That also makes a huge difference.

[Dawgs]

4. Don't forget the influence of pharmaceuticals and the slimy salespeople that sell them. n/t

[liberalhistorian]

7. Yes, indeed, and that could be included

under financial factors.

[FarCenter]

5. Doctors' expertise and performance would also vary considerably, while AI would be uniform

In other professions, new entrants have a fairly high and uniform level of performance, which increases as they gain experience. However, performance diverges widely after 10 - 15 years depending on the course of their career, whether they keep up with advances, and factors related to their personal and family life.

I would think that doctors would also vary considerably.

[CrispyQ]

6. I want this guy for my doctor!

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Had the same thought

[Yavin4]

8. In the very near future, we will submit our DNA to a health algorithm

and it will map the best course of medical care for our entire lives. For example, if you are genetically inclined to have heart disease, it may proscribe aspirin for life and give you a strict diet to follow.

[1monster]

9. Does this mean that when I go to see my medical facilitato (in the past my M.D.),

I will get something like the EMH depcited (several times) here?

[progressoid]

11. Better than Doctor Lexus from Idiocracy.

[kickysnana]

13. Garbage in garbage out. n/t

[ChoppinBroccoli]

14. We're One Step Closer To SkyNet Becoming Self-Aware

[Silent3]

16. "the same technologies used for voice recognition" -- Given how accurate Siri is...

...about figuring out what I'm saying, I can't say this inspires me with great confidence.

If the AI is nevertheless better than human doctors, however, I'm going to have to start being terrified of human doctors.

[RobertEarl]

17. Finally

Now this is another great use for computers.

Why am I reminded of Star Trek right now?

Won't be long, if we survive long enough before a handheld device can scan you and determine what is missing and concoct needed chemicals and algorithms to make you all better. In two seconds. If we live that long.

[nilram]

18. My insurance company's "Sophisticated computer program" looked at my recent health claims

and told me that I should be sure to follow the recommendations of the American Menopause Society and have 1,200mg of calcium in my diet, and it told me I am overdue for a mammogram. Overdue!

I relayed this information to my doctor at my regular physical, shortly after he had examined my prostate. He scoffed at the idea--but what does he, know, I asked. He's not a sophisticated computer program, he's just a doctor.