Hey, Dr Google, what’s this rash?
As more of us consult the internet for health information, doctors ponder how to get us back to their clinics.
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A sign spotted in a GP clinic reads, “Don’t mistake your Google search for my medical degree.”
It is a sign of the times that at the sight of a rash or more serious ailment we first go online to find out more.
In our search for instant access to health information and an immediate diagnosis, we may put off going to the doctor – and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is concerned about the spread of online misinformation and the risk to people’s health.
National Seniors Australia (NSA) agrees that rising costs are keeping people in need away from GP and dental clinics and hospitals.
Our policy recommendations, including an independent review of the private health insurance sector, to cut costs and save Australia’s health system can be found here. Join us in telling the Government what’s needed.
Research says “Dr Google” will become even more popular as AI (artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT) becomes more sophisticated and accepted.
University of Sydney research has shed some light on ChatGPT user trends.
Researchers surveyed a national sample of 2,034 people aged 18 and over and found 1,523 (84.7%) were aware of ChatGPT and 187 (9.9%, which would translate to 1.9 million people) had used the platform to obtain health-related information during the preceding six months.
Who uses AI the most? They include people aged 18–44, those who live in capital cities, were born in non-English speaking countries, speak languages other than English at home, or have limited or marginal health literacy.
Questions asked most frequently relate to:
- Learning about a specific health condition (48%)
- Finding out what symptoms mean (37%)
- Finding actions to take (36%)
- Understanding medical terms (35%).
Concerningly, the study revealed that 61% had asked ChatGPT at least one “higher risk” question, related to taking action that would typically require clinical advice.
This was more common among people born in non-English speaking countries (95%) and for those who spoke a language at home other than English (95%).
Doctors recognise this trend will increase if out-of-pocket costs to see a GP continue to climb and blame the Medicare rebate for not reflecting what it takes to deliver general practice.
The research found that among those who had asked ChatGPT health-related questions, trust in the tool was found to be moderate.
Among the respondents who were aware of ChatGPT but had not yet used it for health-related questions during the preceding six months, 591 people (38.8%) reported they would consider doing so in the next six months.
The most common reasons people cited for turning to AI were:
- Learning about a specific health condition (18.1%)
- Understanding medical terms (16.8%)
- Finding out what symptoms mean (16.3%).
Almost 25% of respondents said they would consider asking at least one higher risk-type question. This was most common among female participants, those aged 35–44, and 55 and older, and for those with year 12 education or less, or an advanced diploma or diploma.
Melbourne GP, Dr Preeya Alexander, said clinicians have a key role to play in helping to redirect patients to reliable sources of information.
“We should expect that patients will want to know more and read more around a specific health condition and thus give them reputable options as they walk out of our consulting room,” she said.
“We should also ask our patients where they are seeking information related to health so that we can offer more reliable alternatives and combat any misinformation they may have been exposed to.”
However, Dr Alexander acknowledges there are bigger questions at play.
“Obviously the broader issues here are: how do we get the patients turning to these platforms into a consulting room with a qualified health professional instead, and how do we ensure information related to health on platforms involving AI are more reliable?
“On social media alone, I see the amount of misinformation people are subjected to – it’s muddy and confusing for people – and ideally we should have some idea of what our patients are being exposed to so we can do a more effective job in the consulting room.”
According to the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics Patient Experience survey:
One in 10 economically disadvantaged people delayed or went without prescription medication and 27% delayed or didn’t seek dental treatment. This was more than twice the rate of people from areas of least disadvantage, which was 11%.
Only 35% of people living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage had private health insurance cover, compared to 79% of those living in areas of least disadvantage.
People living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were also more likely to report waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a GP or medical specialist appointment than those living in areas of least disadvantage.
They were also less likely to have a telehealth consultation.
On a more positive note, people living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely to receive coordination of their care than those living in areas of least disadvantage.
Read about and join NSA’s Health Costs campaign, including more funding for Medicare.
