It's Not A Bad Thing, Say Doctors As Patients Turn To AI-Led ChatGPT For Opinion
Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT are transforming how we use healthcare and if used wisely, it can empower patients and support doctors
In the middle of the night, a notification buzzed on my phone—the final report of my blood tests had arrived. Anxious but unable to make sense of the complex medical jargons, I turned to ChatGPT for help. I uploaded the report and asked for an analysis.
To my surprise, ChatGPT broke down the details in very simple language. It not only explained the results but also suggested possible treatment options and listed some of the best doctors in India for the identified deficiencies. That night, I found myself in an extended conversation with AI–asking it a series of questions, almost like I would ask a doctor.
Of course, I knew I was speaking to an AI tool, not a qualified medical professional. Yet, when I later discussed the findings with my doctor, I was amazed to see that much of what ChatGPT had explained matched the medical advice I received.
My experience isn't unique. Just last month, I came across a news story about a woman in Paris, Marly Garnreiter, who credited ChatGPT with identifying the possibility of her having cancer—before any medical expert had confirmed it.
Curious to know if more people had similar experiences, I reached out to doctors—and the response was overwhelming.
Doctors Confirm The AI Trend
When News18 contacted Dr Satya Prakash Yadav, Director of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Medanta Hospital, he immediately acknowledged the trend. 'Yes, it's happening," he said. He recalled a case of a child from a village in Uttar Pradesh suffering from bone-marrow failure.
'I asked the family how they found me, and the father replied—'I asked ChatGPT, and it told me to meet you'."
'Not only did ChatGPT tell him about the diagnosis, but also treatment, and where he could find treatment. AI is very powerful," Yadav recalled and added, 'AI uses information available on the Internet to give you an answer. It would be highly accurate if lots of data were available about a topic, and very wrong if very little or no data were available. It's 100,000 times faster than Google."
Dr Swapnil M Khadake, head, critical care at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, noted that the growing popularity of AI health apps like ChatGPT is changing how patients engage with doctors. He shared his experience with patients. 'People now come to us having already discussed symptoms and potential diagnoses with these apps. Some even arrive with specific questions or preconceived notions, all shaped by what the apps have told them."
While this evolution makes healthcare more accessible, it also presents new challenges.
Doctors are now navigating not just misinformation from internet searches, but also AI-generated content that may not always be accurate.
Balancing Technology & Professional Expertise
'This ChatGPT trend reflects the direction healthcare is heading," said Dr Khadake. 'Medical professionals will increasingly encounter patients who consult AI tools before seeing a doctor. Our job is to correct misconceptions, ensure accurate understanding, and educate patients about the limitations of artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis."
Doctors now need to balance the benefits of AI with the importance of their own medical expertise. As AI tools become more common, it's important to understand how they can help—without replacing the role of real doctors.
'By collaborating with patients who use these tools, doctors can offer more personalised and informed treatment plans," Khadake added.
Similar experiences were shared by other experts.
Sample this instance shared by Dr Maninder Dhaliwal, an expert in paediatric pulmonology at NCR-based Amrita Hospital. 'A few months ago, I diagnosed a six-year-old with asthma. The parents were anxious but receptive, and we started treatment."
At review, he said, parents came in with thoughtful questions. 'What's FeNO? What's IgE? I was pleasantly surprised. They shared that they had a chat with AI and now to them it all made sense: why I asked certain questions, why he was earlier given nebulisation, why we chose this treatment, why inhaler is important etc."
Dhaliwal says it doesn't mean parents don't trust him; it only means they want to be more informed and that is good. 'I have accepted AI as a reality and have moved forward, but with caution. I honestly don't have a problem if patients read up or chat with online tools about their illness. It shows they're curious and involved in their own care," Dhaliwal said.
Can ChatGPT Outperform Doctors?
A small study reported by The New York Times found that ChatGPT actually outperformed human doctors in some diagnostic tasks. The study showed that ChatGPT scored an average of 90 per cent in diagnosing medical conditions based on case reports, compared to 76 per cent for doctors who used the chatbot and 74 per cent for those who didn't.
But there are several other studies too that warn against its blind usage.
Dr Rajeev Jayadevan believes that while technology like ChatGPT is helpful for professionals, it should be used as a supportive tool, not a standalone diagnostic source. 'AI can help broaden a clinician's thinking by suggesting possibilities they might not immediately consider—similar to ordering an additional lab test," he said.
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However, he cautioned against patients relying solely on ChatGPT or Google for self-diagnosis. 'At the end of the day, what a patient really needs is clarity, peace of mind, and reassurance—which only a trained human professional can truly provide."
In short, AI like ChatGPT is transforming how we use healthcare, but it's not a replacement for medical professionals or doctors. If used wisely, it can empower patients and support doctors. One thing is clear—the future of medicine isn't man versus machine but it's their collaboration.
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 12, 2025, 12:40 IST
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