Artificial Intelligence, Medical Robotics and Medical Automation Education
From: Christian.Schaaf@stud.uni-heidelberg.de
1.) What do you think about artificial intelligence and medical robotics in Medicine? Do you see Dr. Watson and other computers mainly involved in making diagnoses and therapy plans for patients in the future?
Answer from Robin A. Felder, PhD
Much of medical decision making is matching symptoms with known diseases. Thus artificial intelligence (AI) will certainly make this process more efficient for future physicians as our knowledge base of diseases grow exponentially. Dr. Watson is the first big step in this direction. However, the critical thinking involved with the final diagnosis will probably reside with physicians for many decades. There are some good articles about the limits of computers at MIT Technology Review.
2.) Is there any further education for physicians (MD degree) you can recommend in the context of Medical Informatics and Artificial Intelligence? I am looking for distance studies / online masters.
Answer from Robin A. Felder, PhD
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any structured educational programs leading to advanced degrees in this area. We have published books on Medical Automation (ISBN 13: 978-1-59693-164-0), Eldercare Automation (ISBN 978-1-58829-898-0), and Life Sciences Automation (ISBN 13: 978-1-59693-105-3). These would be a great place to start.
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