Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Healthcare Support

In the age of AI and ChatGPT, it is simple and easy to type in symptoms and get a quick response; but that is NOT safe. 

Here is why self-diagnosing does more harm that good, and why you should step away from AI when it comes to understanding and diagnosing your medical or mental healthcare needs: 

1. AI diagnosis is not always superior to human diagnosis.
2. AI programs may be difficult to understand and could create confusion
3. Transparency issues and risks with data sharing.
4. Biases.
5. Mistakes in disease diagnosis or AI cannot be held accountable.
6. Data availability and accessibility.

These are only a few of the dangers of AI and self-diagnosis. Human healthcare providers offer several crucial advantages that AI cannot replicate, like: 

1. Clinical Experience and Judgment: Doctors can interpret complex, nuanced symptoms that AI may overlook.  
2. Empathy and Human Connection: A human connection is vital for patient well-being and trust.  
3. Comprehensive Care: Healthcare professionals provide a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment that goes beyond just data analysis. 
4. Accountability: A medical professional is accountable for their diagnosis, a level of responsibility AI cannot currently provide. 
5. Your information is protected. HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy of individuals' health information. 

Although helpful in some settings, AI has not gone through years and years of university and medical school to learn about each condition. 

Many conditions have similar symptoms but vastly different treatments. This can lead to worsening health issues over time. 

Not all conditions can be self-treated. Many conditions need multiple tests, evaluations, consultations, etc., in order to properly start the healing process. 

AI can only provide a basic overview of what is needed, and it is most of the time incorrect in its suggestions. 

AI's responses can become more confusing and create overwhelm when trying to find the root cause of one's symptoms. 

With the amount of misinformation spread by AI and ChatGPT, it can increase uncertainty and anxiety for the person searching for help. 

Accessibility is ALSO healthcare! Similar to reaching out to a licensed medical/mental health professional for support, it's also important that you reach out to those who specialize in providing accommodations to students as well! We strongly encourage students to reach out to Services for Students with Disabilities for all accommodation questions and additional wraparound support to ensure students' needs are met.  

AI can be beneficial when used responsibly, such as generating helpful coping skills to manage short-term barriers like anxiety, academic stress, or day-to-day stressors. For more complex issues that require long-term interventions/treatments, nothing beats the human connection! 

We get it. It's easy to use AI for self-diagnosis! However, we want our campus community to stay healthy and thrive. Although AI can be helpful too, it should NOT be fully relied on for ANY medical or mental health advice. 

Two things we want YOU to know: 

1. Consult with a healthcare professional! At the Student Health and Counseling Center, our faculty/staff are qualified in their positions, and have gone through lots of training and education to help their patients become the healthiest version of themselves.
2. Be critical of online information. Approach with caution and seek out credible resources. 
    

If you have any questions or need to reach out for any medical or counseling needs, please call 559.278.2734. ⁠