In recent decades, the relationship between the robotics and healthcare is reaching levels never before imagined. Technological advances In this field, diagnostic accuracy, efficiency in patient care and the optimization of medical treatmentsHowever, this rapid development is not exempt from fundamental ethical controversies that must be addressed from the perspective of both health professionals and the developers of these technologies. Inrobics, we want to briefly explore the Ethical challenges of robotics in health care.
In particular, we will focus on five critical aspects. On the one hand, we will talk about data privacy and security, fairness in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the responsibility and decision-making by the medical professionals. We will also examine the issue of machine autonomy and the need for human supervision, as well as the patient's informed consent.
Data privacy and security, one of the ethical challenges of robotics
Without a doubt, one of the ethical challenges most pressing in the integration of the robotics in healthcare is privacy management and the safety of the medical data of the patients. The robotic systems and the IA in the medical care They collect and store a large amount of sensitive patient information, ranging from medical records to biometric data. Such an accumulation of information raises significant concerns about privacy and the potential for information to fall into the wrong hands.
To address this challenge, it is essential to implement robust cybersecurity measures and ensure compliance with the data privacy regulations. Especially those reflected in the General Data Protection Regulation (RGPD) of the European Union and the Spanish Law on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce (LSSI). In addition, the medical technology developers They must design systems that allow patients to have greater control over their data, in addition to giving their informed consent for its use.
Equity in AI development
Another of the Ethical challenges of robotics most important relates to equity in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Although the IA While the potential to improve healthcare overall is high, there is a risk that its benefits will not be distributed equitably. This may occur due to biases in the data used to train the algorithms or a lack of access to advanced technologies in some communities.
Specifically, to address this problem it is essential that the AI developers in health care strive to eliminate biases in data and algorithmsThey must also work collaboratively with health professionals to ensure that solutions are culturally sensitive and accessible to all demographic groups.
Responsibility and decision-making among the most worrying ethical challenges
The growing autonomy of the robotic systems and the IA raises crucial questions about accountability and decision-making in the medical field. Who is legal representative if an algorithm makes a mistake in diagnosing or treating a patient? How is the line defined between the responsibility of the health professional and the responsibility of the system developer? Can a robotics and AI system be charged as an active subject of crime and be directly responsible in the event of harm to the patient?
In this sense, it is essential to establish clarity regarding the legal responsability and ethics in the use of advanced medical technologies. This requires creating specific standards and regulations for the robotic healthcare and define who bears ultimate responsibility in cases of erroneous medical decisions.
Autonomy and human supervision
Of course, the Machine autonomy in healthcare is a constant topic of debate. While automation can increase efficiency and reduce human error, it is essential to maintain an appropriate balance between the autonomy of machines and the human supervision. This is particularly sensitive in the case of the robotic surgery, whose advances seem indisputable. To what extent can we trust that a robot or a algorithm make medical decisions without human intervention?
In critical situations, like complex surgeries or sensitive medical diagnoses, the human supervision remains crucial. Decision-making must be shared between specialist physicians and automated systems to ensure both patient safety and quality of care.
Informed consent to the patient
Finally, patient informed consent becomes more complex with the introduction of robotic technologies and IA in health care. Among the Ethical challenges of robotics raised here, educate the patient in relation to their health problems and the appropriateness of a procedure or therapy involving the technology at hand remains a difficult task. Patients must understand not only the proposed treatment, but also how advanced technologies may affect their well-being and privacy. They must also have the ability to give or refuse informed consent.
But health professionals not only have the responsibility to clearly explain to patients the use of technology in their care. They should also ensure that they understand the ethical implications and potential risks. This ensures that patients have an active role in their care. treatment decisions and can make informed decisions about the inclusion of robotic technologies in your medical care. Thus, acceptance of these conditions goes far beyond a simple disclaimer.
Recommendations for addressing the ethical challenges of robotics in healthcare
En 2014, the Commission for Reflection on the Ethics of Research in Digital Sciences and Technologies of the Allistene alliance (CERNA) proposed some recommendations relevant to our topic. They were republished by the European Parliament:
- medical ethics. First of all, researchers and developers in robotics restorative or care providers must establish coordination with medical professionals and patients. The purpose is to consider the independence and patient integrity and the protection of their privacy as part of the principles of the medical ethics and the requirements for the effectiveness and safety of care. This issue must be addressed beyond the legal field. In this regard, individual adjustments can be made on a case-by-case basis rather than applying a general rule, based on ethical thinking and deliberation. Researchers must request and comply with the opinions published by the operational medical ethics committees. The idea is to establish a connection between the emerging robotic technology and the positions reflected in said resolutions.
- Autonomy and integrity. Those developers who design and build robotic systems Rehabilitators should try to preserve the autonomy of gifted individuals. Specifically, solutions should keep patients in a position to control their actions to the extent possible. Furthermore, developers should try to preserve the integrity of functions other than those rehabilitated.
- Reversibility. At this point, those who work in robotic devices for human enhancement will have a duty to ensure that the resulting adjustment remains reversible. That is, the removal of the devices must not cause harm to the person or cause them to lose their initial functions.
- Social effects of improvementFinally, developers should investigate the social effects of human enhancement induced by devices built. Even those effects on the social behavior of gifted individuals and, reciprocally, on the social behavior of the ungifted.
Our social robotics rehabilitation solution meets these ethical principles
Indeed, Inrobics Rehab, the solution of Social robotics-based rehabilitation e IA that we developed in Inrobics, has allowed us to understand and apply the considerations explained. Thanks to the research and continuous improvements we carry out, we perfect this personalized, empathetic and flexible rehabilitation service. Our goal is not only to increase its effectiveness and accessibility for patients, but also to comply with the ethical precepts already established in health care. Of course, we also take into account personal data protection regulations, such as the GDPR and the LSSI.
Inrobics Rehab has ALMA, our own developed software. This consists of a Social AI that boosts the performance of robots and enables their interaction with patients and health professionals. This component allows you to adapt to the needs and different situations in the therapeutic field. ALMA reason like clinical experts, thanks to the techniques of machine learning algorithm y decision making systems. In this way, we create a intelligent robot able to interact with patients and lead a rehabilitation session, following the prescription established by the professional. In other words, decisions are not made only by the system.
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