This article, by Jim Fitzgerald, talks about a "supercomputer" that may be revolutionary in the field of health care. Fitzgerald opens the article with an article with an interesting twist that gets the reader interested: he makes the computer sound like an actual person: "Dr. Watson is accepting new patients." The supercomputer is being offered to many doctors and health insurance companies soon. The supercomputer will have to capability to diagnose and treat lung cancer and can manage health insurance claims. Therefore, the computer will be able to help in multiple aspects of healthcare--with diseases and conditions themselves and also with paperwork. Fitzgerald uses logos to explain the credibility of the machine: the supercomputer's "speed, huge database, and language skill" allowed it to defeat the best Jeopardy players. Since this Jeopardy face-off, the computer has supposedly improved by 240%. The supercomputer will be able to compare medical records, recommend the best treatment for some conditions, and deals with insurance for some treatments. Fitzgerald includes quotations from an IBM general manager who assures the skeptical public that this machine is not making authoritative decisions by itself, but is simply a revolutionary tool that will simplify the overwhelming job of many doctors and nurses. Fitzgerald concludes the article by stating that this technology has already been adopted in some healthcare locations and will probably continue to become more useful in the future.
Link to article: http://news.msn.com/science-technology/watson-supercomputer-to-help-doctors-with-cancer-treatment
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