When I was told recently that our emergency department would be getting a robot to help us, I must admit I was a little nervous. What exactly would this robot be doing, I wondered. Perhaps it has every medical fact from every specialty downloaded onto its hard drive, and a better bedside manner than me. Perhaps in a few weeks, my services will no longer be required. The day arrived, and the robot was delivered to the ER. It stands about 5 feet tall, and its head is a flat screen monitor. Two video camera lenses gape at you like oversized fish eyes.  There is a speaker in the center of its chest and it moves around on wheels.
Now here’s the good part. It can’t do anything without a doctor. Pheww! What happens is I call up another doctor who is not anywhere near the hospital, and he can talk to me (and presumably a patient) through the robot. That’s it. That means my job is safe. However, I don’t want to understate how valuable this tool could prove to be. If I need a specialist that we don’t have, I could get a consultation from a doctor anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection. Totally cool. Now if I could just figure out a way to see patients myself while I hang out in the hot tub I’ll be set.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, it’s cool, until it goes on a KILLING RAMPAGE!
Whose idea was it to arm this thing will Hellfire missiles, anyway?
Too true! I am glad it has a self destruct button though.