Dr AI: should you ask ChatGPT for health advice?

Key takeaways

• AI is becoming a popular first stop for health questions, helping people access information quickly and easily.

• But information isn't the same as care: AI can't understand your medical history, personal circumstances or emotional wellbeing.

• When it comes to your health, human support still matters. AI works best alongside healthcare professionals, not instead of them.

A sore throat that won't go away. An unexplained symptom. A worrying test result. Increasingly, many of us are turning to AI before speaking to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. And it's easy to see why.

OpenAI reports that more than 40 million people worldwide use ChatGPT for health-related advice every day, with healthcare accounting for over 5% of all conversations on the platform. Meanwhile, research from King's College London found that one in seven people in the UK have used AI instead of contacting a doctor or healthcare service, while one in ten have sought support from chatbots rather than professional mental health services. But when it comes to your health, where should AI fit in the picture?

Why are people turning to AI?

The biggest reason is simple: it's convenient. Almost half of people who use AI for healthcare say they do so because it's quick and easy to access. There’s no need to wait on hold or request an appointment. You’ll get an answer almost immediately.

For others, it's about understanding a health concern before deciding whether it's serious enough to seek help. After all, who hasn’t Googled their symptoms before? AI can also help people feel more prepared. Some use it to understand medical terminology, explore possible explanations for symptoms or think about questions they'd like to ask a healthcare professional.

And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Having access to information can help you feel more informed and more confident when discussing your health. The key is understanding where information ends and professional advice begins.

But information isn't the same as personalised care

AI can analyse information, summarise research and explain medical terms. But it can't take account of your full medical history, your personal circumstances or how a health concern is affecting you emotionally. That's something RedArc is seeing first-hand. Over the past year, more people arrive having already researched symptoms, possible diagnoses and treatment options using AI. While some find it helpful, others are left feeling more worried than when they started, particularly if they've been led towards worst-case scenarios.

As Christine Husbands, commercial consultant at RedArc, explains: “One of the many challenges with health information is that people don't know what they don't know, so often don’t know the right questions to ask. While AI has made information more accessible, it can also take people down unhelpful paths, creating confusion rather than providing clarity. It certainly cannot yet provide the personalised care, reassurance and clinical perspective that people usually need when a significant health matter arises.

“Human expertise remains essential in ensuring people receive the correct type of support for them. Human qualities, such as empathy and judgement, together with the huge information-collation capabilities of AI is a very powerful combination.”

The risks of relying on AI for your healthcare

AI can be a useful starting point, but there are four things it can’t do:

1. Take responsibility for the advice it gives

Healthcare professionals are accountable for their advice. AI tools aren't.

2. Guarantee the information is correct

AI learns from the information available to it. If that information is incomplete, outdated or inaccurate, the answers can be too.

3. Understand your personal situation

The same symptoms can mean very different things for different people. That's why context matters so much in healthcare.

4. Always provide balanced reassurance

Sometimes AI can reinforce worries rather than ease them. The way a question is asked can influence the answer you receive, which may unintentionally send you down an unhelpful rabbit hole.

AI works best alongside human expertise

Used well, AI can help people understand their health, access information more quickly and feel better prepared to have conversations with healthcare professionals. But it works best as a starting point, not the final answer. When you're dealing with a significant health concern, you don’t just need information. You need context, reassurance, empathy, and someone who can help make sense of what that information means for you. That's where having the right support around you can make all the difference.

For many people, that support can come as part of a life insurance, health insurance or employee benefits policy. Some policies provide access to specialist services that go beyond financial protection, helping you navigate the practical and emotional side of a health challenge too. One example is RedArc, part of the Howden Group. RedArc works alongside insurers to provide access to experienced nurses and healthcare professionals who can help people understand their diagnosis and find the right support when life takes an unexpected turn.

That's why it's worth looking beyond price when choosing cover. Working with a broker can help you find policies that don't just pay out when needed, but also provide access to expert support and guidance when you need it most. Because when it comes to your health, information is useful. But having someone in your corner is invaluable.

Sources: RedArc, The Health Foundation, Bournemouth University, The Register, The Independent