IIMBue 2018: Doctor friendly software need of the day for better diagnosis, says Dr Devi Shetty

Bengaluru, July 20: Highlighting that software can go a long way in helping the doctors to make a precise diagnosis, renowned cardiac surgeon and Chairman of Narayana Health chain on Friday said that healthcare is largely about the interpretation of data. He said that the majority of disease diagnosis depends on finite parameters.

"Machines are better at prediction using finite parameters," Dr Shetty said at IIMBue Leadership Conclave in Bengaluru today.

Day is not far when it may become mandatory for doctors to take the second opinion of a software before arriving at the final diagnosis, he said. He said that such a thing may happen within the next 5-10 years given the pace at which medical softwares are being developed.

He particularly stressed on online healthcare wherein doctors would be able to recommend treatment to patients based on data rather than physical examination. He, however, said that something like surgery becomes inevitable, then a doctor has to physically treat patients. "In most cases, it is the correct interpretation of data that leads to correct diagnosis," he said.

Dr Shetty also called for doctor friendly software that can be used over smartphones with 'simple touch interface'. A doctor should be able to access data about patients' vitals on a smartphone, he said.

"Doctors are not designed to use keyboards and making long entries on a desktop computers about patients. It shouldn't be like one hour of interaction with a patient takes 2 hours of entry on a software," he added.

He said that that software will make doctors efficient.

"Does it make doctors less important - No," he said.

Asserting that online healthcare would become a reality soon, he said: "Healthcare is nothing but interpretation of data."

He rued the fact that only 20% of the people across the globe have access to quality healthcare, despite it being one of the biggest industries.

Among other things, he also spoke about how lack of communication in hospitals may lead to catastrophic results.

On a lighter note, he said, "Getting admitted to an American hospital is more riskier than skydiving."

IIMBue, the annual leadership conclave hosted by IIM-B Alumni Association, is being held today. This is the third edition of the annual event and the theme for this year is 'Sensing The Future'.