ChatGPT: Today, millions of people around the world are taking help of chatbots to answer their questions. In such a situation, it was certain that tech companies would bring special AI programs for health related questions. In this series, OpenAI introduced a new version named ChatGPT Health in January, which claims to answer health-related questions by analyzing data from users’ medical records, wellness apps and wearable devices. At present there is a waiting list for this facility. At the same time, another company Anthropic is also providing similar facilities to some users in its chatbot Claude.
Both companies clearly say that these AI models are not a substitute for doctors. Their purpose is not to diagnose disease but to help explain complex reports, prepare for doctor’s appointments, and understand hidden trends in medical data.
Can AI give better information than Google?
According to the Indian Express report, some doctors and researchers believe that such AI tools can provide more personal information than traditional internet searches. For example, Dr. Robert Wachter, an expert at the University of California, San Francisco, says that when used properly, these tools can prove useful.
AI platforms can sometimes give wrong information but if you give them enough information related to your age, medicines, symptoms and previous reports, the answer can be more accurate and referenced.
When to skip AI and go straight to the doctor
There are some situations where taking advice from a chatbot can be dangerous. Symptoms like difficulty in breathing, chest pain or severe headache can be a sign of medical emergency. In such a situation, it is better to go to the hospital immediately.
Dr. Lloyd Minor associated with Stanford University says that it is not wise to depend only on AI for any big or small medical decision. Always consider AI’s advice in conjunction with expert opinion.
Think before sharing your medical information
To get better and personalized advice from AI, users often have to share their personal medical information. But here the question of privacy becomes important. In America, HIPAA law is in force to protect medical data, which imposes strict rules on doctors and hospitals. However, companies making chatbots do not come under the purview of this law.
The companies claim that users’ health data is kept separate and secure and is not used in model training. Still, it is important to understand the privacy policy of any platform before uploading sensitive information.
Are Chatbots Really Trustworthy?
There is definitely enthusiasm about AI but its trials are still in the initial stages. Research at Oxford University found that in imaginary medical cases, AI identified the correct disease in 95% of the cases. But problems came to light during conversations with real users. Often people do not provide necessary information and AI sometimes gives a mix of right and wrong advice. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for the user to differentiate between right and wrong.
