The rise of AI chatbots in healthcare is reshaping how patients access medical advice, but critical concerns are emerging about the influences behind these technologies. Nearly half of Americans now seek health guidance from AI systems, ranging from lifestyle changes to second opinions on serious conditions like cancer. Yet, many may not realize that the same companies designing these AI tools are also subject to external pressures that could compromise the quality of the medical advice provided.
Dr. Isaac Kohane, founding chair of the department of biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School and coauthor of “The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond,” highlights a troubling scenario. For example, consider a patient diagnosed with a slowly growing brain tumor located near the optic nerve. While most healthcare systems recommend surgery, a specialized cancer center in the Midwest has developed a radiation treatment with 14 years of successful outcomes. However, when the hospital’s AI system processes the case, it defaults to the standard recommendation of surgery, potentially overlooking the optimal treatment.
This situation illustrates a broader concern. As healthcare systems increasingly incorporate AI, recommendations may become standardized, leaving little room for patient-specific advice. Financial pressures within the $5 trillion healthcare system may exacerbate this issue, leading to increased instances of unnecessary procedures or missed opportunities for preventive care.
Empowering Patients in the Age of AI
To navigate this complex landscape, patients need to become proactive users of AI technology. Dr. Kohane advises individuals to leverage the unique capabilities of AI, including its ability to provide multiple perspectives. By asking the same question from various angles—such as requesting advice from the perspective of a surgeon or a physical therapist—patients can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their options.
Research conducted at Harvard Medical School has shown that different AI chatbots, such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, offer varying clinical approaches and often disagree on the same cases. While this may require patients to subscribe to multiple chatbot services, the cost is often less than conventional medical co-pays. Patients should also bring insights gained from AI consultations to their real-life doctors, fostering a dialogue that could lead to better-informed decisions.
Another crucial step for patients is to take ownership of their health data. The 21st Century Cures Act mandates that individuals have access to their digital health records. Many hospitals provide this access through patient portals, and connecting to services like Apple Health can facilitate the download of medical records. By compiling these files, patients can prepare for future advancements in AI, which are likely to improve data organization and interpretation.
The Need for Regulatory Clarity
Despite the potential benefits of AI in healthcare, significant regulatory hurdles remain. The industry lacks comprehensive rules that govern how AI tools are developed and used. As Congress considers legislation, it is essential to strike a balance that does not stifle innovation while ensuring that patient interests are prioritized. Premature regulations could entrench current market leaders and suppress emerging alternatives that align more closely with patient needs.
Legislation should focus on transparency rather than dictating specific medical practices. Patients deserve to know the influences behind the AI systems they interact with. Questions about the data used to train these systems, the stakeholders involved in their development, and the handling of personal information should be clearly answered. Such transparency would allow for diverse AI applications that reflect varying clinical philosophies, ultimately benefiting a wider range of patients.
In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of AI presents both opportunities and challenges. As patients increasingly turn to AI for health decisions, it is imperative to approach these tools with a critical mindset. By treating health data as a valuable asset, questioning AI recommendations, and demanding transparency from developers, individuals can better safeguard their health against potential corporate interests. The future of healthcare is being shaped today, and patients must take an active role in ensuring that it serves their best interests.
