Physicians are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to craft more empathetic responses to patients, according to a recent report by The New York Times. One of the main challenges physicians face is using understandable and comprehensive language when communicating to patients. This is where the AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, come in handy.
One example cited in the article is Michael Pignone, MD, chair of internal medicine at the University of Texas at Austin, and his team, who used ChatGPT to address patients who have been having drinking problems, but have not been helped by behavioral health therapy. They asked ChatGPT to generate a compassionate script at a fifth-grade reading level, which it delivered effortlessly.
According to the article, some physicians are skeptical of the use of AI to augment their compassion, as they prefer to express empathy and relate to patients using their own words and experiences. However, others, such as Isaac Kohane, PhD, a professor of biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School, have found this technology to be incredibly helpful. Dr. Kohane has used ChatGPT to quickly evaluate if patients qualify for a federal program for people with undiagnosed diseases.
Furthermore, Richard Stern, MD, used a ChatGPT-generated appeal to convince an insurance company to cover a medication that was initially denied coverage. Dr. Stern is enthusiastic about this new technology and says that “it’s like a new world.”
This report highlights the potential of AI chatbots to help physicians express empathy more effectively while also delivering helpful information to patients. While some medical professionals remain skeptical, others view AI chatbots as a valuable tool that can enhance their patient communication skills.
In conclusion, the use of AI chatbots is gradually becoming a more acceptable and effective tool for healthcare professionals, especially in enhancing communication with patients. This shift in mindset is a reflection of the evolving digital landscape in healthcare and its potential to revolutionize the way we access and provide healthcare services.
