NerdMDs StackBytes #8

Dr. Adam Carewe hosts "NerdMDs StackBytes," a podcast that transforms recent Substack posts into 10-minute discussions. In this episode, he explores the question, "How much of medicine is actually just an algorithm?" He explains that while some aspects of medicine, like clinical decision trees and protocols (e.g., STEMI pathways, stroke alerts), are algorithmic and crucial for saving lives, the "heart of medicine" extends beyond this. Carewe argues that real-life patient cases often involve complexities, comorbidities, and human values that algorithms cannot address. He refers to this non-algorithmic aspect as the "art of medicine," emphasizing judgment, intuition, emotional labor, and the ability to navigate uncertainty, which he believes cannot be automated. He concludes by advocating for technology to serve as a partner and support tool for doctors, rather than attempting to replace them, stressing that the future of healthcare requires collaboration between humans and machines.