Medical diagnostics software is creating a furore in the UK by allegedly making more accurate diagnoses than doctors themselves! This software was developed by Babylon, a company that specialises in artificial intelligence and works closely with the National Health Service (NHS). It asks patients to respond to questions through SMS. Once the symptoms are presented, the software offers a diagnosis.
According to Babylon, the first trial recorded a correct response rate of 81% from the software compared to 72% from medical students.
Although Andrew Goddard, NHS doctor and President of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP)[1] believes that artificial intelligence heralds “the future” of the discipline, many doctors have voiced their concerns. “Machines are machines, doctors are trained, highly educated professionals. There is no comparison. A machine can assist doctors but can never replace them”, stresses Martin Marshall, Vice-President of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
[1] The medical body representing 34,000 doctors around the globe.
Le Quotidien du Médecin, Pascal Thomeret (29/06/2018)