Publications

Working Paper
PDF
Jameson, J., S. Saghafian, R.S. Huckman, and N.R. Hodgson. Working Paper. “Strategic Test Ordering in the Emergency Department and the Impact on Care Delivery”.
PDF
Saghafian, S. Working Paper. “Effective Generative AI: The Human-Algorithm Centaur” 2023. Abstract
In this article, we focus on recent advancements in Generative AI, and especially in Large Language Models (LLMs).  We first present a framework that allows understanding the core characteristics of centaurs. We argue that symbiotic learning and incorporation of human intuition are two main characteristics of centaurs that distinguish them from other models in Machine Learning (ML) and AI. Using these core characteristics, we also present a few specific methods of creating centaurs. We then argue that the growth and success of LLMs are to a great extent due to the fact that they are moved from pure ML algorithms to human-algorithm centaurs. We present various evidence to demonstrate this, particularly by focusing on the advantages of the so-called “fine-tuning” approaches such as the Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) method used in various LLMs (e.g., OpenAI’s GPT-4, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Bard, and Meta’s LLaMA 2-Chat).   We also discuss evidence showing that these fine-tuning approaches can turn Generative AI tools into cognitive models, capable of representing human behavior. In addition, we elaborate on three main advantages of centaurs: removing barriers with respect to algorithm aversion, human aversion, and casual aversion. We then briefly conclude by discussing two main points: (1) recent advancements in creating centaurs have moved us closer to reaching the goals that the founding fathers of AI—John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Nathaniel Rochester, and Claude Shannon—stated in 1955 as part of their proposed 2-month, 10-man study of AI to be held at Dartmouth; and (2) the future of AI development and use in many domains will most likely need to focus on centaurs as opposed to other traditional approaches in ML and AI.
PDF
Coots, M., S. Saghafian, D. Kent, and S. Goel. Working Paper. “Reevaluating the Role of Race and Ethnicity in Diabetes Screening”.
PDF
Feizi, A., A. Orfanoudaki, S. Saghafian, and A. Hodgson. Working Paper. “Vertical Patient Streaming in Emergency Departments”.
PDF
Orfanoudaki, A., S. Saghafian, K. Song, H.A. Chakkera, and C.B. Cook. Working Paper. “Algorithm, Human, or the Centaur: How to Enhance Clinical Care?”.
PDF
PDF
PDF
PDF
Rasouli, M., and S. Saghafian. Working Paper. “Robust Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes”.
PDF
Saghafian, S., R. Imanirad, and S.J. Traub (M.D.). Working Paper. “Who Is an Effective and Efficient Physician? Evidence from Emergency Medicine”.
PDF
Forthcoming
PDF
Saghafian, S., D. Kilinic, and S.J. Traub. Forthcoming. “Dynamic Assignment of Patients to Primary and Secondary Inpatient Units: Is Patience a Virtue?” Cambridge Handbook on Productivity, Efficiency and Effectiveness in Healthcare.
PDF
2024
Orfanoudaki, A., C.B. Cook, S. Saghafian, J. Castro, H.E. Kosiorek, and H.A. Chakkera. 2024. “Diabetes Mellitus and Blood Glucose Variability Increase the 30-day Readmission Rate after Kidney Transplantation.” Clinical Transplantation 38 (1): e15177. Publisher's Version
PDF
2023
Hodgson, N.R., S. Saghafian, M.C. Klanderman, and S.J. Traub. 2023. “Physician-driven early evaluation: Encounters seen in a vertical model.” JEM Reports 2 (2): 100028. Publisher's Version
PDF
Saghafian, S., L. Song, J. P. Newhouse, M. B. Landrum, and J. Hsu. 2023. “The Impact of Vertical Integration on Physician Behavior and Healthcare Delivery: Evidence from Gastroenterology Practices.” Management Science 69 (12): 7158-7179. Publisher's Version
PDF
Boloori, A., and S. Saghafian. 2023. “Health and Economic Impacts of Lockdown Policies in the Early Stage of COVID-19 in the U.S.” Service Science 15 (3): 188-211. Publisher's Version
PDF
Atkinson, M.K., and S. Saghafian. 2023. “Who Should See the Patient? On Deviations from Preferred Patient-Provider Assignments in Hospitals.” Health Care Management Science 26: 165–199. Publisher's Version
PDF
Saghafian, S., N. Trichakis, R. Zhu, and H. Shih. 2023. “Joint Patient Selection and Scheduling under No-Shows: Theory and Application in Proton Therapy.” Production and Operations Management 32 (2): 547-563. Publisher's Version
PDF
2022
Saghafian, S, L.D. Song, and A. S. Raja. 2022. “Towards a more efficient healthcare system: Opportunities and challenges caused by hospital closures amid the COVID‑19 pandemic.” Health Care Management Science 25: 187-190. Publisher's Version
PDF

Pages