Intelligent Systems in Health Care: A Socio-Technical View

Abstract

This chapter reflects on the relationship between various stakeholders in the health-care industry and intelligent medical systems. It takes into consideration the potential impact that intelligent systems have on health care. The aim of the chapter is to emphasise a set of decisive factors for the successful deployment of intelligent systems in health care including the individual needs of patients and medical staff. The motivation for this study was the publicity and investment that intelligent agents like Watson have benefitted from since the outset of their trial deployments in health-care organisations, which have preceded doctors’ feedback. In this chapter, we discuss some incentives to use intelligent medical systems and the ethical considerations. Potential roles of intelligent systems in health care are explored from a socio-technical perspective. Additionally, potential decision-makers and their responsibilities in assessing the medical personnel’s attitude towards the intelligent systems before their final deployment are discussed. The conclusion outlines limitations of both human clinicians and intelligent agents and how they can work together to overcome them.