Haddad told HCB News at the time that the system is only the beginning of cognitive influence in healthcare, but requires cooperation among many players in order to be successful.

“When I know better, my patients do better. That is what our goal is here. I think that cognitive represents new solutions, platforms for knowledge management, and requires multidisciplinary teams for successful health. It requires expert training and provider utilization in order to establish adoption and trust,” she said.


In addition, Kelly noted a previously reported study by Dr. S.P. Somashekhar, chairman of the Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center of Manipal Hospitals, in Bengaluru, India, that showed “a 93 percent concordance rate in breast cancer for their multidisciplinary tumor board in the Annals of Oncology.”

“There is always an important distinction between what can be done and what should be done based on a variety of very personal factors for the patient,” Somashekhar observed when presenting his results at a conference at the time, adding that, “we are dealing with human beings, and the context and preferences of each individual patient, the patient-physician relationship, and human touch and empathy are very important. It’s always going to be the decision of the treating oncologist and patient to determine what is truly the best option for the patient.”

Kelly closed his posting by stressing that, “IBM has never shied away from grand challenges, and we know they don’t happen overnight and are not easy,” adding that, “the opportunity, including the potential impact on patients around the world, is too important. Our work is only getting started.”

Back to HCB News

Business Affairs Homepage