Approximately one in three adults (!) uses chatbots for health information and advice, according to a recent KFF tracking poll. As with any tool, from kitchen knives to CT scanners, knowing when and how to consult a chatbot decreases risk while increasing efficacy.
Patients may turn to AI chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini) to:
Explain test results.
Provide a diagnosis for their symptoms.
Determine whether to call a doctor or go to an ER (or wait).
Answer questions about their diseases, tests, and treatments.
Benefits of chatbots include their:
Rapid responses
Privacy
Ability to help prepare you for medical visits and assist with medical communications
Some patients use them with hope of avoiding the hassles or expense of medical visits. Especially if used to replace, not supplement care by healthcare professionals, major risks of using chatbots as healthcare consultants include receiving information that leads you to:
Take actions that cause injury, illness, or death
.Miss opportunities for your improvement or cure.
Experience unnecessary distress.
Damage your relationship with your healthcare team.
Feel increased stress at home (and work/school/other).
AI is not for everyone. If you do use it, keep in mind that chatbots:
Are computer programs, not human beings—no matter how compassionate their answers sound.
Cannot personalize medical information and advice in ways that depend on human judgment.
May provide misinformation or accurate information that does not apply to you or is dangerous for you.
The first step to Healthy Survivorship is to obtain sound knowledge. With AI now in the mix, my next post will offer tips on using this tool safely and effectively.
