AI diagnoses a major factor in Allina Health's doctors strike
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Unionized doctors at Allina Health are concerned about a growing interest in creating diagnoses with the help of artificial intelligence.
Wednesday marked Day 3 of a four-day strike by about 150 doctors at Allina Health's Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and its Unity campus in Fridley. The tension that led to the strike has been building for some time, as physicians have been negotiating with Allina for three years for their first union contract with still no deal.
William Jones, a professor of history at the University of Minnesota, said physicians unionizing is part of a growing trend largely spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While pay, sick time and access to protective gear have all been part of the discussion, there’s been an emerging fear among physicians about AI and patient care.
“They are concerned about the use of AI in doing diagnosis,” Jones explained. “That's really at the center of this issue.”
Allina has said the two sides have made progress during negotiations, but the health system says it can't agree to any contract unless rising healthcare costs are accounted for.
Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.
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