Big Picture Science for Dec 30, Skeptic Check: Heal Thyself

Big Picture Science - Skeptic Check: Heal Thyself

(Repeat) Do we still need doctors?  There are umpteen alternative sources of medical advice, including endless and heartfelt health tips from people without medical degrees. Frankly, self-diagnosis with a health app is easier and cheaper than a trip to a clinic.   Since we’re urged to be our own health advocate and seek second opinions, why not ask Alexa or consult with a celebrity about what ails us?

Find out if you can trust these alternative medical advice platforms.  Plus, lessons from an AIDS fighter about ignoring the findings of medical science.

And, if AI can diagnose better than an MD, will we stop listening to doctors altogether?

It’s our monthly look at critical thinking … but don’t take our word for it!

Guests:

• Katherine Foley – Science and health reporter at Quartz, and author of the article “Alexa is a Terrible Doctor”
• Paul Offit – Professor of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perlman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of “Bad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren’t Your Best Source of  Health Information”
• Richard Marlink – Director Rutgers Global Health Institute.
• Shinjini Kundu – Research Fellow, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Stuart Schlisserman – Internist, Palo Alto, California

 
This repeat podcast was previously released on September 24, 2018

This podcast will be released this coming Monday at - http://bigpicturescience.org/

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.