Robotic surgeon. Are you in favor of it?
By a_ce_e
@a_ce_e (1421)
Philippines
May 16, 2007 11:45pm CST
Today is the age of computers and robots. Robotic surgeon had launched but i am not quite sure when was it, but i think it just recently.
If you were the patient who needs to undergo into a surgery say heart surgery, brain surgery or any other kind. Are you willing to undergo on this robotic surgeon unassisted? What i mean is, the robotic surgeon will do most of the surgery,will only be supervise by one doctor.
What do you think are the pros and cons of this. Are this robotic surgeon might be more efficient than human surgeon? What if there is a sudden "brown-out"? What do you think?
3 responses
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
17 May 07
It looks like it is already being done, and especially along with minimally invasive surgery, where the organs are accessed through the body's natural orifaces, with significantly less recovery time and less pain on average. I'm not a doctor or technician, but if it is being used successfully, and if it is more expensive, then if my insurance covers such a procedure, or if somehow I managed to find a better job so that I can pay for it, I will go for it.
Any surgery has its risks, and I heard horror stories about doctors leaving sponges and even metal clamps inside the body. (I think the story about the watch is an urban legend) But I am involved in office automation projects, and I know computers can do at least spreadsheets and databases a lot faster and more accurately than a team of humans. However I realize computers are also made by humans, and their imperfections will show in the machines they make and program (consider the United States electronic voting machines)
So I will trust my doctor since I don't have the resources to become one myself. If it's available, I can afford it, and it is compatible to cut the thing out of me, yes, I will consent. If it kills me I am hardly one to complain afterwards :D
@a_ce_e (1421)
• Philippines
17 May 07
Thanks for a wonderful comment. You are right, these robots were also made by human, hence imperfection might also arise. There is another concern about, i think any profession has it's art, every surgeon put their fashion in doing there job, for being great for it and giving their best. Hmmn..can you imagine, if robotic surgeon become widespread, we will all rely on robots :( . I am just thinking, maybe someday most of us human will be replaced by robots.
@babygurl850406 (1322)
• United States
17 May 07
I dont think I would do this. I would trust doctors more, there are always things that can happen still but I think more could possibly happen with a robot doctor. I dont think i could do this atleast until i see how many surgeries have been successful.
good topic
@a_ce_e (1421)
• Philippines
17 May 07
Thanks for the response. What i am thinking since this is robot, made of micro-chips..there might be some mechanical errors happen with the robot surgeon and aside from that, i think most of this robot just use censors in surgery and finding which part has taken for surgery on human body.
@michael_nonan (384)
• Philippines
12 Dec 08
i dont think theres nothing wrong with this. to think of it, it is still operated by a doctor. it's just like a remote control car, only a lot more complex. but the concept is the same. a doctor operates the machine while looking at the patient. the purpose of this is to minimize the error on the part of the doctor, since robots are more stable than a surgeon's hands. ofcourse they would've thought about brown-outs, they are doctors, they're not as dumb as you. another pro for this is that expert surgeons from other part of the world can operate through internet connection without leaving their room.
