Generative AI is rapidly emerging in American medicine, offering new possibilities in both clinical settings and for personal health management. As these tools become more integrated into healthcare, I am interested in gauging how they are being used and viewed by both professionals in the field and patients. That was the subject of last month’s reader poll. Here are the results:
My thoughts: These survey results are similar to national trends. More than half of patients (56%) and healthcare professionals (55%) have never used generative AI tools. But for clinicians, at least, the interest (and the intent) is growing as more of doctors and nurses recognize how GenAI can help patients and themselves. Mirroring a recent Wolters-Kluwer survey, 40% of clinicians in last month’s Musings poll are very or somewhat likely to incorporate generative AI into their practices over the next 12 months. Patients, however, are approaching with caution.
This pattern is typical for new technology. It often faces initial skepticism and concern before becoming standard and broadly adopted.
I believe that now is the time for both professionals and patients to start experimenting with ChatGPT and explore its capabilities. Use it as a second opinion. Ask it difficult medical questions. See how closely it matches the medical advice you would provide (or that your doctor has given you recently). In the next three to five years, these tools are projected to become 10 to 30 times more powerful. Those who wait too long to embrace AI will regret the delay.
Thanks to all who voted! To participate in future surveys, and for access to timely news and opinion on American healthcare, sign up for my free (and ad-free) newsletter Monthly Musings on American Healthcare.
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Dr. Robert Pearl is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group, the nation’s largest physician group. He’s a Forbes contributor, bestselling author, Stanford University professor, and host of two healthcare podcasts. Check out Pearl’s newest book, ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine with all profits going to Doctors Without Borders.
