Transformation of the Physician-patient Relationship: From Bioethics to Roboethics

Abstract

In the context of the active development and implementation of artificial intelligence systems and robotics in healthcare, the physician-patient relationship is undergoing changes. The transformation of these relations caused by the problems of interrelation of the basic bioethical principles and new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases is considered. Using concrete examples, new opportunities and risks caused by the widespread use of automation in medicine are revealed. Conflict situations between human norms and algorithms are analyzed. The issues of responsibility for robot errors, as well as privacy and cybersecurity issues are considered. It is noted that by the beginning of the 21st century, there was a need for an ethical assessment of robotics, since technical decisions taken in the design of robots have the potential to directly and significantly affect people's lives. In this regard, roboethics arose, the concept of which is analyzed in the article. The laws of robotics were formulated by I. Asimov and F. Pasquale. At the same time, attention is drawn to the fact that in the field of healthcare, programs should be developed that rely on human strength. The necessity of finding a balance between the automation of medical practice and the maintenance of the humanistic essence of the physician-patient relationship is emphasized. A comparative analysis of the fundamental principles of bioethics and roboethics is carried out. Despite the fact that they have the same goals and values, in roboetics these principles are characterized by a number of features. The principle related only to roboethics — explainability — requires algorithm developers to explain the general rationale and methodology for solving artificial intelligence. In conclusion, it is concluded that medical robotics and artificial intelligence systems provide great prospects for improving diagnosis, treatment and the general level of medical care, but their use raises important ethical issues that need to be addressed. The basic principles of bioethics should be preserved, and roboethics can help to define the framework and standards for the use of robots in medical practice.