What to do when your patient arrives with an AI self-diagnosis.
AI isn't replacing the GP consultation, but it is changing it. Experts share practical strategies for responding when patients present with an AI self-diagnosis. For years, GPs have managed patients arriving with information and self-diagnoses from Dr Google.
AI isn't replacing the GP consultation, but it is changing it. Experts share practical strategies for responding when patients present with an AI self-diagnosis.
For years, GPs have managed patients arriving with information and self-diagnoses from Dr Google. Now, for many patients, Dr AI has joined the conversation.
What Happened
Unlike search engines, AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude don't simply return a list of websites. They generate detailed explanations based on the symptoms, medical history and other information, such as uploaded test results, that patients provide.
A/Prof Kirkpatrick also recommends explaining that AI recommendations may not reflect Australian practice because many models are trained on US data.
We may need to run some tests or look for alarm signs first.
Framing AI as a starting point, not an answer, acknowledges the patient's effort without endorsing the diagnosis.
Key Details
AI is adding a layer of complexity because it doesn't just provide links, it gives a full explanation. Patients may arrive at appointments not just with questions, but with diagnoses they already believe, investigations they think they need, and confidence in AI-generated.
A/Prof Kirkpatrick agrees, saying patients arriving with AI-generated information should be seen as engaged in their healthcare, not challenging their doctor's expertise.
Reviewing the AI chat together can reveal what the patient entered and where it may have gone astray.
Treat AI like any other information a patient brings.
Why It Matters
A/Prof Emily Kirkpatrick, senior clinical lecturer in artificial intelligence at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning at Adelaide University, says advice generated by an AI doctor isn't inherently good or bad. It may not always be accurate or tailored to the individual.
"Patients are using AI because they're worried, they want to understand what's happening, and it's not always easy to access a clinician."
Once you know AI has shaped the consultation, resist the urge to dismiss it.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by insightplus.mja.com.au as more details emerge
