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I had a “telehealth” doctor's visit the other day. I was prescribed a scheduled medication without extensive questioning or documentation. Why? The prescribing physician had been given a score for me, generated by a proprietary algorithm, indicating that I was at low risk for
abuse & addiction. The doctors employing this system have access to neither the algorithm nor the patient data it employs. All I could think was, black patients are probably being denied life-saving medication because some rudimentary algorithm flagged them
for abuse potential on the basis of their income or the neighborhood they live in.
Life or death decisions are being placed into the hands of proprietary algos let loose on the public and there is no opening of the black box or opting out.
“[proprietary algorithm] is able to generate a single number that quickly gives me a more accurate assessment of the patient’s...history. This number, coupled with the ease and speed of the web page, makes getting the information I need, instantaneous.”
“As such, my colleagues and I use this program much more frequently; allowing us to deliver better care to our patients in the ED.”
They have another product called “MethCheck.”
