Contrary to conventional wisdom, new technologies may create, rather than replace, jobs — including in the healthcare industry, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
In recent years, skeptics have warned that new technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence will soon replace human workers in many low-skilled jobs. However, that arguably hasn't been the case: in fact, the U.S. added 2.7 million jobs last year.
"Smarter machines, it turns out, often require more people," Bloomberg suggests.
As an example, the publication shared how a new telemedicine program at Washington, D.C.-based MedStar Washington Hospital Center has created a need for more workers.
The program, dubbed TeleTriage, is an emergency department service that has transformed the role of the "physician in triage" at the hospital. With the new technology, the PIT can interact with patients entering the emergency room remotely, using two-way video-conferencing — before, the PIT would have to be in the same room, standing next to the door.
Ethan Booker, MD, who used to work as the hospital's PIT, helped develop the new telemedicine system to enable faster care. Now, a PIT can view a display of the patient's medical history alongside the video screen, as well as order tests or prescribe follow-up treatments with just a few clicks.
"In places where we were successful with this, there was a need for more people," Dr. Booker explained. Patient triage completed with the technology can help as many as 22 patients per hour, which is more than double the old rate, Bloomberg reports.
To read the article in Bloomberg, click here.