Watson Goes to Work for WellPoint
The computer can analyze about 200 million pages of data in less than three seconds, which could allow physician to more accurately diagnose and treat complex cases. Physicians could, for example, use Watson to consult medical records and the latest research findings for recommendations on treatment.
Watson will make its debut, in small clinical trials, in 2012 — after it goes through some training. “Watson can go to medical school, residency and fellowship in a matter of months,” says Nussbaum. “If you think about how much is happening in research, about 1 million new articles coming out every year, Watson can be so much more widely read than any physician.”
Full story on the partnership between WellPoint and IBM.
Isn’t Watson just a way to search the Internet? I wonder what Watson’s job is?
Many doctors don’t like to use decision-support tools. But this could research a disease or condition much faster than your doctor would have time for. I can see how this could change medicine.
Next, we’ll have drive through check ups. Do you want prescriptions with that?
This is both the best and the worst thing that can happen to us. It’s great for diagnoses and data mining. It’s going to make physicians barking mad when it takes over their jobs.
Sounds like Wellpoint fired “Dr. Watson”
Yes, but can it ask whether the published research results make any sense?
Many insurers are investing in high-powered computing power to drive their algorithms. WLP appears to have put a friendly face on it.
Nevertheless, the problem here will be cultural: Will doctors and patients accept Watson’s recommendations? It will be a tough sell.
WLP is certainly innovative. They made a deal with Zagat to do physicians’ rankings in 2008.