When Dr. Google Meets ChatGPT: What You Need to Know Before Self-Diagnosing

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Remember when "Dr. Google" changed healthcare forever? Those days of patients arriving with self-diagnoses have evolved into something new – now it's "ChatGPT told me I should be doing this." As healthcare providers navigating this rapidly changing landscape, we're seeing both the incredible potential and concerning pitfalls of AI in health decision-making.
Artificial intelligence offers unprecedented access to medical information, but comes with a critical caveat: AI is only as good as the information it's fed. While we both use AI tools daily in our practice, we've learned to distinguish between those pulling from evidence-based, peer-reviewed sources versus those potentially drawing from subjective opinions or limited studies. The difference can significantly impact your healthcare outcomes.
Beyond source verification lies an even more fundamental challenge – healthcare simply doesn't fit neatly into algorithmic boxes. Your body represents a unique constellation of genetics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and countless other variables that even the most sophisticated AI can't fully comprehend. This is why treatments that work perfectly for one person may fail entirely for another, even with identical symptoms. Good healthcare requires nuanced human judgment that considers everything from family history to ethnic background to medication interactions.
When researching your health concerns, we absolutely encourage using AI as one tool in your arsenal. But approach your provider with "here's what I found, what do you think?" rather than "this is what I have and what I need." This collaborative approach creates space for meaningful discussion rather than confrontation. Most providers welcome informed patients who take active roles in their care, as long as there's mutual respect for both technology's capabilities and human expertise's irreplaceable value.
Have you used AI for health research? What was your experience? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you're looking for telehealth care from providers who embrace technology while maintaining human-centered approaches, visit us at hamiltontelehealthcom.

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Chapters

1. Welcome and Introduction to AI Health Topics (00:00:00)

2. Why Google Searches Can Cause Healthcare Issues (00:01:35)

3. Using Validated AI Resources for Health (00:04:30)

4. Why Everyone Can't Fit in One Medical Box (00:06:39)

5. How to Approach Your Provider with AI Research (00:10:18)

6. Final Thoughts and Episode Closing (00:11:44)