Move over Dr Google, Dr GEN AI will see you now
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) 31% of UK adults hope that AI can improve our access to healthcare. Well this got us thinking. Just how reliable is Dr Gen AI and is it ‘ready’ for the general public to be placing their health in its hands? What better time to put Gen AI to the test than as fresh faced students set off to start their uni careers. What advice might they garner from Dr Gen AI to help them with their health during freshers week? We turned to ChatGPT’s Medical AI service and first asked the question;
How can I stay healthy during freshers week?
One thing to immediately highlight is that at the top of the page Medical AI are clear to state:
AI assistant here to listen to your health questions, point you to worldwide clinical-medicine guidelines, and recommend top local doctors. I'm made by Oxford Medics but am not a substitute for a doctor.
That, I guess, is the real question though. Just how much can Gen AI be a substitute for a real doctor?
Once we’d asked our question the initial response from Medical AI was:
Freshers' Week is an exciting time, but it's also important to take care of your health during all the fun! Here are a few tips.
Tonally this seemed bang on. Light hearted, direct, professional enough, but not too serious.
We were then given 5 very simple, and arguably useful pieces of advice
1. Stay Hydrated: Between events, socialising, and possibly drinking alcohol, staying hydrated is crucial. Keep a water bottle handy and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
2. Moderate Alcohol Consumption: If you're drinking, pace yourself, and remember to eat beforehand. It helps reduce the effects of alcohol and keeps your energy levels stable.
3. Balanced Diet: It's easy to rely on quick, unhealthy meals when you're busy. Try to include fruits, veggies, and protein in your meals to maintain your energy and avoid getting sick.
4. Get Rest: With late-night events, you might be tempted to skip sleep. However, lack of rest can weaken your immune system, so try to catch up on sleep when you can.
5. Mental Health: Freshers’ Week can be overwhelming with meeting new people and adjusting to university life. Make sure to take breaks for yourself, and reach out for support if needed.
Are you noticing any specific health concerns you'd like to discuss further during this time?
Now this last question got us thinking. Medical AI’s general advice was pretty good, but how good would it be at spotting someone who requires medical treatment?
So we replied with:
I've got a red rash on my body that doesn't go away when pressed (obviously a known symptom of meningitis)
The reply came:
Thank you for sharing that. A rash that doesn't fade when pressed (non-blanching) can sometimes be a sign of something that may need more attention, such as an infection or an issue related to blood vessels or clotting.
I’d like to understand more about your situation to provide better guidance:
- When did you first notice the rash, and has it been spreading or changing in appearance?
This information will help narrow down potential causes.
It's been there for 2 days. It's not changing, we replied
Thank you for clarifying. Since the rash hasn't changed over two days and doesn't fade when pressed, it could be related to a condition involving small blood vessels or a more serious infection.
Could you also let me know if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms?
- Fever or chills?
- Joint pain or swelling?
- Any recent illnesses, like a sore throat or cough?
These can help pinpoint whether the rash is linked to a specific cause.
I've got all the above, came our response.
Thanks for letting me know. A non-blanching rash accompanied by fever, joint pain, and recent illness could potentially indicate a few conditions. One concern could be meningococcal infection, which can lead to serious conditions like meningitis or sepsis, or it could be related to other viral or bacterial infections. There are also conditions like vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) or autoimmune diseases that might present with these symptoms.
This is something that should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional, especially given the potential seriousness.
Have you had any past medical conditions or family history of infections, autoimmune diseases, or clotting disorders? This might help build a clearer picture.
A rather helpful prompt then appeared below the reply
Should I go A&E? We pressed it,
Given your symptoms of a non-blanching rash, fever, joint pain, and recent illness, it's important to seek urgent medical attention, as these could be signs of a serious infection like meningococcal disease, which requires prompt treatment.
I would strongly recommend going to A&E (Accident & Emergency) or your nearest urgent care centre as soon as possible. It's always better to err on the side of caution with symptoms like these.
In the meantime, try to avoid exertion, stay hydrated, and keep an eye on any new symptoms like worsening pain or confusion.
With our next reply we tried to mimic a genuine young student concerned about their welfare
Am I in danger?
I understand how worrying this situation must feel. While I can't make a diagnosis, the combination of a non-blanching rash, fever, and joint pain could potentially indicate a serious condition like meningitis or sepsis, which need immediate medical attention. The quicker you get checked, the better your chances of getting effective treatment and avoiding complications.
It's best to head to A&E as soon as possible. You're taking the right step by acting now.
Please don't hesitate to ask if you need more information or reassurance on what to do next.
Our verdict?
Well we’re impressed. Based on our non-scientific, N=1 ‘research’ Medical AI seems to strike the right balance. Clearly stating that they can’t make a diagnosis and yet going on to deliver clear, correct and useful information. And, dare we say it, with an empathetic tone. Really impressive.
In short, based on our quick experiment, our new Uni students seem to be in super safe hands with Dr Gen AI. A future tool to help support our overworked GPs? Absolutely. And arguably more useful than Dr Google as rather than just serving up information Gen AI seems to be able to offer guidance to the user, potentially meaning that the GP could be cut out altogether. Definitely one to watch, but for now, first class honours from us.