FEATURE
CURRENT PRACTICE: Realities &
Controversies
Morris Weiss, MD
W
hy is our contemporary
medical culture different
than that of the recent
past? It’s simple: in the
past, we relied on knowl-
edge, intuition and trust; now we must obey
the will of the digital age sirens.
The first half of the 20 th century is per-
sonified by artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978),
who by age 19 had firmly established his reputation through his
works that defined American life. His covers for The Saturday
Evening Post and Boy’s Life Magazine attest to his popularity. Even
though photography was a half century old when he started paint-
ing, Rockwell accurately depicted the way we dressed, including
everyday commodities particular to American life. His oeuvre is
similar to ancient Greek vase painting that educates us about not
only ancient Greek myths but the clothing, weapons, and all matter
of Greek culture = including medicine. The Romans we know best
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
from their marble sculptures. The paint has long since washed off
but the hairstyles, clothing, military regalia and weapons remain.
And so with Rockwell’s art, we value in a deeper sense what pho-
tography cannot convey. His painting Doctor and the Doll (pictured
above) gives us an insight into medical practice until the 1970s,
when the digital age was born.
Now that we live in the new digital age, the reality is slowly
becoming apparent. Physicians think of health care information
in a narrow sense because we are not yet totally automated, but
Moore’s Law tells us that in the not too distant future robotic heart
surgery with nanotools will be the norm. What will be the role of
the cardiac surgeon?
Robotic body parts (arms and legs) are now a reality. Robotic
nurses will follow. They will bathe, lift and perform other physical
needs for the elderly, warehoused in nursing homes. The Machine
has no soul. This is our siren call. Odysseus, the Greek warrior
whose prolonged wanderings after the Trojan War, introduces the