[herbst]

What the person at the desk actually does when I check in:

- Check in docs or with doctor if any tests need to be taken prior visit. And takes tests

- Glance at my history and ask follow-up questions for prior visits and medications. Informs the doc.

- On a prescription asks me for other medicaments that could raise cross issues (very important step here)

- Actually gives me the medication (might be a swiss thing)

2 of 4 things an AI can't do. And 4 things I don't want a computer to do.

[codetostory]

The last one is not a thing in Germany (Dispensierverbot), might in fact be a Swiss thing. :)

A human would do 1 to 3 ideally, but with lack of staffing and time constraints for appropriate training etc., reality can be somewhat different. But that's the general question in so many use cases for AI or other digital tools in healthcare: Not "do we want this done by a human or AI" but "seeing that we don't have enough humans on board, can we put a digital tool here to have a minimum service level at least".

[momoelz]

Don’t you think that all of this can be done by AI?

Why don’t you want computers to do it?

[gus_massa]

In some cases (at least here in Argentina) the staff checks that the health insurance cover (partially) the cost of the visit and that the patient has all the correct forms and whatever is necessary. Also, open the door, so the doctor can start with the next patient immediately.

[herbst]

I am pretty sure AI can, at this point in time, not take any blood tests, hold a complex feedback loop with a busy doctor, nor do I want to put any blind trust into its health suggestions.

But that's me and as OP said, not everyone has the luxury of a working medical field.