Robotic doctors are
the future means to serve remote medical needs.
Many
areas are underserved by medical care and facilities. Robotic doctors are
widely considered an inferior option and not a true replacement for human
physicians, yet can these robotic options be used when there aren’t any humans
available? Ethical and legal implications are discussed.
Current medical robots are not yet on
the level of self-operating artificial intelligence that may be seen in science
fiction, but medical robots are becoming increasingly used in the medical
theatres of today. The da Vinci robot is commonly being used in surgery. Most
recently the FDA has approved a self-navigating robot that allows for remote
doctors to have a simple interface with patients. Named the “Remote Presence
Virtual + Independent Telemedicine” or RP+VITA, is considered the first
autonomous navigation remote presence robot to obtain the FDA go ahead.[1]
With remote doctoring approval, new uses may arise for these medical robots
that have not been encountered before.
Doctors
without Borders
Doctors without borders are
internationally known for:
provides independent, impartial assistance in more than 60
countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or
catastrophe, primarily due to armed
conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion
from health care, or natural
disasters[2].
The assistance provided by this
organization is frequently hindered by the danger of the situation being
served, whether through armed conflict or catastrophe. Allowing a remote doctor
within even primitive clinics would mitigate the legal and ethical risk of
allowing humans into such dangerous situations. While not able to provide
immediate first aid, a remote diagnostician could still provide input on
medication and questions on symptoms and treatment. Additionally, instead of
putting the burden of this work on one doctor, the burden could be shared among
many, taking turns and allowing 24 hour staffing of the doctor position.
Mars
and Colonization
While years away, thousands of people
have already signed up to be among the first to colonize Mars[3].
Logically, any expedition would begin with medical staff among the crew, but
what if something happened to these people. How would people seek treatment? A
favorite science fiction author of mine, H.M. Hoover envisioned remote doctors
for every planetary expedition. Even on remote planets with larger populations,
people often branched out into lesser inhabited areas for exploration, and
often equipped remote doctors in their air cars. Robot doctors would encourage
the exploration of Mars. Additionally, the fact of switching between doctors on
the machines would allow for multiple specialties to be represented in one
machine, such as an orthopedist, psychologist, and pediatrician at one time.
Rural
America
Much of the rural United States lacks
immediate medical facilities. Growing up in South Dakota it becomes very
apparent that the middle of the state has a few people, but mostly a lot of
soybeans and cattle. Additionally, this farmland of America experiences harsh
weather during much of the year. Traveling for simple cold or non-emergent
medical needs could be more dangerous than leaving the symptoms untreated. A
remote physician would allow the diagnosis of conditions without travelling up
to 100 miles for the nearest doctor, by allowing remote triage and a
prioritization of risk.
In conclusion, semi-autonomous robot
doctors can be used as an asset, not as a replacement for physicians. The
future will demonstrate the utility of remote diagnosis for otherwise
inaccessible patients. Expanding technology will help to mitigate risks to both
doctors and patients, and provide more timely care.
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