Algorithms in Health Care: The Promise, the Risk and the Future

ALGORITHM, a word that was mainly used in math class, is now frequently dropped in casual conversation. Often associated with social media feeds, we wonder how “the algorithm” gets us — or doesn’t. We know algorithms use data, like search history, internet activity and connections, but the details that follow may be fuzzy. In addition, algorithms often operate in the background of an app or system, which contributes to the mystery of their work.

For algorithms used for social media, the stakes are low — we may or may not buy something based on the results. But what happens when algorithms are incorporated into health care? The stakes are considerably higher, and there is both promise and risk.