A different way to measure success in health care | Andrew Bastawrous - TED Talks Daily Recap

Podcast: TED Talks Daily

Published: 2026-02-06

Duration: 34 minutes

Guests: Andrew Bastawrous, Lily James Olds

Summary

Andrew Bastawrous argues that healthcare should prioritize deep connections over speed and efficiency. Through his work with Peek Vision, he demonstrates how compassionate care can lead to better outcomes for both patients and healthcare workers.

What Happened

Andrew Bastawrous, an eye surgeon and founder of Peek Vision, questions the prevailing focus on speed and efficiency in healthcare. He suggests that forming deeper connections with fewer patients can lead to improved outcomes. Peek Vision, started in Kenya in 2012, utilizes smartphone technology to screen and diagnose eye conditions, making eye care accessible to millions who otherwise wouldn't receive it.

Peek Vision's strategy empowers non-specialists to conduct eye assessments using smartphones, dramatically increasing healthcare access in remote areas. The organization aims to reach 1 million people weekly, having already impacted over 18 million lives globally. A trial in India is shifting focus from the quantity of screenings to the quality of patient interactions, emphasizing the importance of remembering patient stories to build trust and improve care uptake.

Bastawrous highlights the significant challenge of undiagnosed vision impairment among children, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The epidemic of short-sightedness is particularly severe in Asia, where many lack access to basic treatments like reading glasses. Peek Vision addresses these issues by using automated messages to inform parents about their children's vision needs, improving treatment adherence.

He explores how AI in healthcare could either positively or negatively influence human behavior, depending on its application. Bastawrous cautions that current AI development incentives might not effectively address global healthcare inequities. Instead, his approach advocates for creating spaces that allow healthcare professionals to show compassion and connect with patients.

The story of 'Mama Philip' illustrates the impact of understanding patients' fears and taking time to address them, which in turn increases community trust in healthcare services. Bastawrous believes that slowing down in healthcare can lead to better patient outcomes and reduce burnout among healthcare workers.

In an interview with Lily James Olds, director of the TED Fellows program, Bastawrous discusses how Peek Vision is redefining access to eye care by focusing on human behaviors, rather than solely relying on AI or optimization techniques. This approach starts with encouraging doctors to be more compassionate, which can significantly improve both patient and staff experiences.

Key Insights

• Peek Vision utilizes smartphone technology to enable non-specialists to conduct eye assessments, significantly increasing access to eye care in remote areas. The organization aims to reach 1 million people weekly and has already impacted over 18 million lives globally.
• A trial in India by Peek Vision is shifting the focus from the quantity of eye screenings to the quality of patient interactions. This approach emphasizes remembering patient stories to build trust and improve care uptake.
• Undiagnosed vision impairment among children is a major issue in low- and middle-income countries, with a severe epidemic of short-sightedness in Asia. Peek Vision addresses this by using automated messages to inform parents about their children's vision needs, enhancing treatment adherence.
• AI in healthcare has the potential to influence human behavior positively or negatively, depending on its application. Current AI development incentives may not effectively address global healthcare inequities, highlighting the importance of creating spaces for healthcare professionals to connect with patients.