Warning: My experience with algorithmic healthcare scheduling shows why patience isn't always a virtue

I want to warn everyone about the hidden wait times in algorithm-driven healthcare systems. After submitting my medical records, an AI tool categorized my condition as non-urgent, delaying my consultation by eight weeks. In that time, my anxiety spiked as I second-guessed every symptom, unable to get clarity. The ethical dilemma here is that these systems save costs but sacrifice patient peace of mind.

3 comments

3 Comments

marksanchez1d ago

Read a study about hospital triage algorithms last month. These systems often prioritize statistical efficiency over individual patient experience. Your story shows exactly how that optimization for cost shreds patient peace of mind.

angela58721h ago

What marksanchez highlights about triage algorithms is just the tip of the iceberg. When @oscarc12 points out the focus on cost savings, it reveals a deeper institutional disregard for the human element in medicine. These systems create a feedback loop where patient dissatisfaction is ignored because it doesn't fit into efficiency metrics. Over time, this erosion of trust makes people hesitant to seek care, ultimately worsening public health outcomes. We're trading short-term savings for long-term societal costs, and that's a dangerous precedent.

oscarc121d ago

Realize they prioritize cost savings over patient peace of mind? That's a DISTURBING detail from the study. It proves the system values efficiency more than human suffering. We simply cannot accept that kind of cold calculation in healthcare.