I woke up in an emergency room with the robotic nurses surrounding me. They were all scrambling around with IVs, blankets, pillows, and, yes, bladder tubes. The atmosphere was a little icy since there were no expressions on their faces and they did not answer any of my questions. All I could remember is that I passed out at work. I don’t even know which hospital I’m in. There were no people around, no one with whom to carry on a conversation or to get some information.
Then one of them asked me a million questions, usually too fast for me to answer completely. I am not sure how yes-or-no answers really could describe my situation. It must have been some high-tech medical analysis technique because I could not understand what these questions had to do with what happened to me.
After a ridiculous number of tests, they admitted me to the hospital for whatever my condition was. My worst fears were realized: I had a very serious diagnosis since hardly anyone was admitted these days. My anxiety continued to rise as I was having trouble getting a layman’s description of my condition. I am not sure that it helped to get a bunch of baby-sounding words thrown at me. I was hoping that Dr. AI would explain all this to me when I got to see him (it?).
Dr. AI finally came into my room and told me that I needed major surgery. I wasn’t entirely sure of what the procedure was, or what to tell my family. The name of the operation was a little over my head. With all of the information I didn’t understand, my anxiety was getting the better of me. It was also not helpful that no one said anything to my family who were in the room with me.
Finally on the next day, I was chatting with Dr. AI about the treatment options for my new diagnosis. He could see the apprehension in my face. He recognized that I was afraid of the operation and wished to choose a more conservative approach. I could see the concern in his face. He mentioned how something similar happened in his family and how they were able to deal with it. He reassured me about the safety of this procedure and that he had done it a hundred thousand times. I couldn’t believe how much more relaxed I felt after our talk and the sensitivity he portrayed.
Why did people fear AI so much?
Richard Gibula is a family physician.
