Artificial intelligence is advancing so quickly that it has already entered the medical practice, and not only are professionals using tools like ChatGPT to write reports or review clinical data, but also many patients use it to resolve questions about symptoms, diagnoses or treatments.
It should be noted that talking to the chatbot has become a first step before going to the doctor. Every day thousands of people ask AI what they previously searched for on Google, but the difference is that OpenAI offers more organized answers, with easy-to-understand explanations.
However, it can also fail, and this is where specialists agree that its role is not to replace a doctor.but rather complement health care and help better understand medical information at a general level.
It is for this reason that if you already use artificial intelligence to guide you about your health, several experts have shared ten essential tricks to do so safely, take advantage of its information potential and avoid risks of privacy or confusion.
How to use ChatGPT for health topics safely: 9 tricks endorsed by doctors
1. Start with general questions, not diagnoses: ChatGPT is used to understand what a disease is or how a treatment works, not to tell you what you have. Use AI to learn concepts, not to diagnose yourself, and the more open the question is, the more reliable the answer will be.
2. Be clear with your context, but without giving personal information: You can mention your age or gender if it helps get a more accurate answer, but avoid including medical results or private information. Experts warn that everything you write can be stored on external servers.
3. Ask me to explain medical terms to you: If your report includes technical terms like «benign lesion» or «pulmonary infiltrate,» ask ChatGPT to translate it into plain language. This use is very useful to arrive at the consultation knowing exactly what what they have told you means.
4. Use it to prepare your questions before seeing the doctor: Several internists recommend using AI as support to prepare for a medical visit. You can ask them to help you ask questions about your symptoms or tests you’ve had. This way you make better use of the appointment and avoid forgetting important doubts.
5. Don’t ask for second medical opinions: Although ChatGPT can provide solid medical information, it does not have access to your history nor can it interpret your tests, so it is not a valid source for confirming diagnoses. If you doubt, always seek the opinion of a human specialist.
6. Always check sources: Use the chatbot’s response as a starting point, not a conclusion. Doctors recommend comparing any information with official organizations such as the WHO, MedlinePlus or the Ministry of Health. AI does not always cite its sources or ensure that they are up to date.
7. Learn about treatments and side effects, but without self-medicating: You can use AI to understand how drugs act or what their most common reactions are, but never to decide doses or start treatment. ChatGPT is a learning tool, not a cookbook.
8. Let me help you with healthy habits: It can also be an ally to improve your well-being. If you’re looking for guidance on balanced eating, sleep, or exercise, AI can give you general guidelines. Even so, check that the information comes from verified sources and that it adapts to your needs.
9. Use AI to gain trust: Specialists insist that these tools work well as educational support. They can help you better understand your body and your symptoms, but the final decision should always be made by a doctor. Using AI judiciously makes you a more informed patient, not a substitute for the professional.
10. Always consult your questions with a professional after using AI: Take advantage of the information you obtain in ChatGPT as a starting point to better dialogue with your doctor. If a response makes you worried or suggests a possible illness, don’t just rely on the chatbot’s interpretation.
The role of AI in medicine
More and more hospitals are experimenting with artificial intelligence to speed up diagnoses, analyze images or manage medical records, but its impact is on the patient. Thanks to these tools you can arrive at the consultation with more information, prepared to better understand what is happening to you.
Even so, doctors ask for caution, as not everything ChatGPT says is correct or updated because the tool should serve as support, not as a substitute for medical consultation.
It is important to mention that, Used well, artificial intelligence can improve communication between patients and professionals, reduce misunderstandingsbut above all, increase confidence. Rather than replacing traditional medicine, it complements it, making it more accessible and participatory.
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Tags: Artificial intelligence