Diagnostic Imaging and Mechanical Objectivity in Medicine.
Journal:
Academic radiology
Published Date:
Jan 20, 2021
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Before the advent of automatism in image-making practices, scientists, anatomists, and physicians artistically depicted simplified images for scientific atlas making. This technique conferred subjectivity to a supposedly objective scientific process, sparking confrontations between anatomists regarding accuracy that heralded a new concept in the late 19 century - mechanical objectivity - that would revolutionize scientific knowledge and the field of medicine OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this health history research study is to trace the evolution of mechanical objectivity from empirical studies of early anatomists in the 19 century to the advent of x-ray technology, digitization of imaging, and disruptive technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, while simultaneously unveiling the challenges of mitigating human bias, despite advancements in medical imaging practices.