ChatGPT and similar technologies coming down the medical pike have far to go before they’re reliable sources of accurate and appropriate health information. That doesn’t mean they’re non-factors now.
In fact, laypersons are already tapping such "large language” AI models to supplement conventional surfing of health websites.
And medical researchers are letting the nimble linguistic systems compose rough first drafts of manuscripts headed for probable publication in peer-reviewed journals.
For now, most users understand that ChatGPT is not to be trusted without due diligence bordering on skepticism and, whenever available, expert oversight from medical professionals.
A reporter at USA Today has done a nice job tracing the lay of the land.
“For clinicians, chatbots based on advanced language-processing iterations of AI “might provide a brainstorming tool, guard against mistakes and relieve some of the burden of filling out paperwork, which could alleviate burnout and allow more facetime with patients,” writes senior health reporter Karen Weintraub.
“But—and it’s a big ‘but’—the information these digital assistants provide might be more inaccurate and misleading than basic internet searches.”
Among the subject-matter experts Weintraub sought out is a professor of linguistics who sees “no potential” for ChatGPT in medicine.
Toward the other end of the continuum is a Harvard hospitalist and healthcare-policy professor who believes it’s unhelpful to dismiss the technology out of hand.
“The idea that we would tell patients they shouldn’t use these tools seems implausible. They’re going to use these tools,” the physician tells the newspaper. “The best thing we can do for patients and the general public is [to say], ‘Hey, this may be a useful resource; it has a lot of useful information —but it often will make a mistake, so don’t act on this information only in your decision-making process.’”
Weintraub’s other sources include Robert Pearl, MD, a former Kaiser Permanente CEO and present podcast host who’s unabashedly enthused over the promise of large-language technologies for patients and medical professionals alike.
“I am certain that, five to 10 years from now, every physician will be using this technology,” Pearl says, adding that, if doctors use AI chatbots to empower their patients, “we can improve the health of this nation.”
There’s more. Read the whole thing.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.