Use these 5 easy prompts to protect your health and privacy
You have a health question. But you don’t want to go through the time and trouble of a doctor visit. It’s not an emergency. And you don’t feel like doing a telehealth visit. Of course! Why not ask AI? It’s free, it’s easy and you can do it right now.
About 1 in 3 adults use AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude for health advice. But are they risking their health and privacy?
The smart, safe way to use AI tools is to treat them like a helper for research. They cannot and should not replace the care you get from your doctor. These five easy prompts from the American Medical Association (AMA) can help you get the most of your AI chat about your health.
- Explore what may be the problem
“I have these symptoms [description]. What are common causes, how do they differ and what details would help narrow them down?”
- Ask for simple answers
“Explain this to me in simple words: [medical term, doctor’s diagnosis or instructions].
- Add details that matter
“Given my situation [my age and gender, lifestyle, goals, etc.] what do I need to know?”
- Know your options
“What are the different ways to treat [diagnosis name] and what are the benefits, risks and side effects of each?”
- Prepare for your visit
“What questions should I ask my doctor to better understand this situation?”
Remember, AI is not really “thinking” about your health. That’s your doctor’s job. AI can only gather and organize information you give it, plus what it finds online. Here’s what the AMA suggests people using AI keep in mind:
- AI can’t diagnose or know your full medical history.
- AI may use information that is incomplete, outdated or wrong.
- Beware: AI can sound sure of itself, even when it’s wrong.
- Your results depend on how you ask your questions.
AI will not have all the information you need or ask all the necessary questions for you to make decisions about your health. A doctor will know what questions to ask to get the full picture, including medications, health history and allergies. Use it as a starting point or to help, but always talk to a doctor.
Always protect your health information when using AI. The internet is not secure. Do not share your name, address or other private details. Never use AI for emergencies, diagnosis or treatment decisions. They should not replace your doctor. If you have sudden or serious symptoms, call 911.
