A recent Gallup poll has revealed that one in four adults, or approximately 66 million Americans, have reported using artificial intelligence tools or chatbot features to obtain more healthcare information. Whether it be researching a personal health condition or doing pre- or post-doctor’s appointment research, Americans are turning to AI for medical help.
Is it O.K to Use AI for Medical Advice?
It is almost a universal experience to go to the doctor and not have all your questions answered or to even just be nervous about attending a doctor’s appointment. These reasons and more are why almost 20% of Americans use AI for healthcare information. Gallup surveyed more than 5,500 adults across the US about their AI medical and healthcare usage, and over half reported they “turn to AI to supplement their healthcare experiences, using the technology before or after seeing a doctor.” Almost half of AI healthcare users also reported that the “AI tool or chatbot made them feel more confident talking with or asking questions of a provider.” With others saying, “It helped them identify issues earlier or avoid unnecessary medical tests and procedures.”
“Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how Americans seek health information, make decisions and engage with providers, and health systems must keep pace,” said Tim Lash, president of West Health Policy Center. “The risk isn’t that AI is moving too fast — it’s that health systems may move too slowly to guide its use in healthcare responsibly.”
Lash emphasizes this point in part due to a smaller but not insignificant portion of the American population saying they turn to AI instead of seeing a doctor or medical professional. This is due to a number of reasons, such as cost, access, care quality, time, and embarrassment obstacles. That said, about 84% of AI health users still see a medical provider, but 14% report that after consulting AI, they chose not to seek medical attention when they otherwise would have done so. While 14% doesn’t sound like much, it equates to approximately 14 million Americans. So, while this group is significantly smaller than those who still seek medical attention, it doesn’t mean this group is insignificant.
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Can You Trust AI?
While this might be a concerning amount, keep in mind that just because people consult AI doesn’t mean that they trust it completely. There are mixed reports from those using AI for health and medical advice, with 33% saying they trust AI, another 33% saying they neither trust nor distrust AI, and 34% stating they distrust AI. However, Gallup reported that only 4% of users strongly trust AI’s healthcare and medical accuracy, so the majority of Americans using AI to answer their health questions are aware of its potential inaccuracy.
“This data indicates that while some Americans may be using artificial intelligence as a substitute for going to the doctor’s office, many see it as a tool to complement their healthcare, helping them understand symptoms they might be feeling and clarify any diagnosis they receive from their doctors,” said Joe Daly, Global Managing Partner at Gallup.
AI can be an amazing tool used to encourage people to visit a medical professional, help people fully understand their health condition or doctor’s visit, and provide some personalized information for those who can’t afford or don’t have access to a doctor. But it can also dissuade plenty from visiting a human doctor and provide incorrect medical advice which, when followed, can worsen medical conditions.
If you are using AI for healthcare advice, questions, or research, please be aware that it is still only artificial intelligence and not a real human. So, if you have medical issues you would normally go to the doctor for, please continue to go to a human doctor and do not completely substitute a doctor’s visit with AI. On top of this, keep in mind that AI is never 100% accurate about healthcare so it can provide insightful information but there is no guarantee that information will be accurate to your personal healthcare needs.
