The mayor of Getafe has voiced concerns regarding the Hospital Universitario de Getafe's decision to replace anesthetists' pre-operative calls to patients with a virtual Artificial Intelligence assistant. This action, according to the mayor, represents a further step in dismantling the public healthcare system, and she has requested a meeting with the hospital management to address the situation.
“"It is an absolute irresponsibility for the regional government to intend to replace the judgment and empathy of a doctor with an algorithm at such a critical moment as before an operation."
The measure, authorized by the Community of Madrid's Ministry of Health, has been criticized for the resulting loss of care quality, as patients' doubts, concerns, and fears will be addressed by a machine, lacking the necessary empathy during these times. It is estimated that the virtual assistant will make calls to approximately 11,000 patients annually, under a contract formalized by the hospital for about 45,000 euros.
For her part, the Health councilor emphasized that personal, individualized, and empathetic care should not be replaced by robotic attention, highlighting the need for humanity and closeness for sick patients.
Hospital sources in Getafe have defended the implementation of Artificial Intelligence as an organizational support to enhance the quality and safety of care, assuring that it does not replace the clinical assessment of a healthcare professional. They explained that this tool acts as a first level of structured information and data collection, optimizing time and allowing professionals to focus on patients who truly require their intervention, always under medical supervision.
