Mistakes on the job will happen — but some jobs don’t leave much room for error. Surgeons, for example, always need to be on top of their game. A single careless slip can be a disaster for their patient.
Is there such a thing as a perfect surgeon?
People may tell you that someone is a great surgeon, but what do they mean, and how do they know? The fact that someone has performed several complicated operations without harming anyone in the process is no guarantee they will do the same for you. There are over 4,000 surgical errors every year in the United States, so as good as most surgeons may be, they do not get it right all the time. They are human, after all.
Could AI make the difference in surgical care?
Thankfully the future of the world does not rely on humans alone. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other kinds of technology are making significant inroads across the spectrum. Rather than replacing surgeons, there are various teams developing ways it can help surgeons.
Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are working on a system that uses AI, neuromodulation and neuroimaging to step inside surgeons’ brains when they are operating. By measuring how their brain and nerves react to specific situations, it will give medical authorities a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. The idea is not to grade them but to develop personalized training to help each surgeon improve.
There’s no guarantee that a surgeon will get everything right
Seek legal advice if you or someone in your family suffered from a surgical error. An attorney can evaluate your case and see if you have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim.
