---
title: "The Future of Health Care: Robots and Networks"
description: "A radical proposal for saving health care (use robots) meets a parallel approach (use people)."
date: "2010-11-15"
authors:
  - name: "Susannah Fox"
    job_title: "Former Researcher"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/susannah-fox/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2010/11/15/the-future-of-health-care-robots-and-networks/"
categories:
  - "Future of Work"
  - "Health Care"
  - "Health Policy"
  - "Healthcare Online"
  - "Medicine & Health"
---

# The Future of Health Care: Robots and Networks

We all know the grim statistics: chronic disease is exploding in the U.S. while the number of primary care health professionals declines. But what are we going to *do *about it?

The most radical idea I've heard recently was proposed at one of the most staid events I've attended: the [Connected Health Symposium](http://www.connected-health.org/events/symposium-2010.aspx). Roll the tape:

Joe Kvedar also blogged the speech: "[Emotional Automation](http://chealthblog.connected-health.org/2010/10/26/emotional-automation-bonding-with-technology-to-improve-health/): Bonding with Technology to Improve Health." Check out this idea:

> Can we set up systems that are extensions of our providers that will allow patients to feel cared for ***by their doctor*** but be interacting with a piece of software or a robot?

Continuing this theme of interaction with inanimate objects, watch David Rose talk about [GlowCaps ](http://www.vitality.net/)and other enchanted objects at [Mayo Transform 2010](http://centerforinnovation.mayo.edu/transform/):

Or just read his fantastic [summary ](http://twitter.com/davidrose/status/1996458387570688)in 131 characters:

> Smartphone health apps won't be used daily. Self-report fails. Texting programs annoy. Enchanted objects will have the most impact.

Now for the third idea: Hands-on care by health professionals can't scale.** **One-on-one advice from professional intermediaries, like librarians, can't scale. Networked peer support, research, and advice can scale. In other words: **Altruism scales. **

My inspiration for this idea comes directly from the work of [Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler](http://connectedthebook.com/), who observe that [altruism spreads](../archives/2010/10/building-a-research-agenda-for-participatory-medicine.html) in networks, but I'm adding [my deep knowledge](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/Experts/Susannah-Fox.aspx) of consumer behavior online, which most recently got pushed and prodded on a [panel about patient communities](http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/11/connected-health-patient-networks-panel.html).

So:

Can a mobile device be a comfort object, akin to Joe's pet rocks and Tamagotchi? (See also: the teens example in [The Power of Mobile](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/Commentary/2010/September/The-Power-of-Mobile.aspx).)

Is it possible to quantify [the return on investment on love](http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/09/what-is-the-roi-on-love.html), whether it's delivered in person, over the phone, through a screen, or... who knows what's next?

**Is it time to bond with technology to improve health? **