Critical Care Doctor Says Patients’ Reliance on Chatbots Reflects Deeper Problems in Health Care | Newswise
In a new commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Robert B. Shpiner, MD, a clinical professor of pulmonary and critical care at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, argues that the growing use of artificial intelligence chatbots for health information reflects both health system strain and a broader shift in how patients seek information.
Critical care doctor says patients’ reliance on chatbots reflects deeper problems in health careAbstract:https://www. acpjournals. org/doi/10. 7326/ANNALS-26-01819URL goes live when the embargo liftsNewswise — In a new commentary published inAnnals of Internal Medicine, Robert B. Shpiner, MD, a clinical professor of pulmonary and critical care at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, argues that the growing use of artificial intelligence chatbots for health information reflects both health system strain and a broader shift in how patients seek information. Recent data shows 32% of U. S. adults used AI for health information or advice in the past year, citing the lack of timely appointments, a regular physician, affordable care, or confidence that the health care system will respond effectively as reasons they turned to AI for health advice. Dr. Shpiner acknowledges the safety concerns of using AI for health advice but says that simply warning patients about the risks associated with AI misses the deeper issue. Patients often choose chatbots because they are instantly available, and shortcomings of the health care system like billing issues, prior authorization, and difficult portal communication are increasingly pushing patients towards chatbot use. Dr. Shpiner says that policy and governance surrounding AI use in health care will not mitigate AI risks unless structural health care issues that lead patients to turn to AI are also addressed. Media contacts:For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at[email protected]. To contact corresponding author Robert B. Shpiner, MD please email[email protected].