The Role of AI Chatbots in UK Medicine: Benefits, Challenges, and Privacy Concerns

The Role of AI Chatbots in UK Medicine: Benefits, Challenges, and Privacy Concerns

A recent study published in the journal BMJ Health and Care Informatics measured the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by general practitioners (GPs) in the United Kingdom (UK).

Abstract

Objectives- Interest in using language model after the launch of ChatGpt get increased in general practitioners(GP )

Methods -The study was launched as a monthly ‘omnibus survey’ which has a predetermined sample size of 1000 participants.

Results -53% respondents were men,54% were 46 years or older and 20% of others uses Generative AI for clinical diagnosis

Discussion-GPs may derive value from these tools, particularly with administrative tasks and to support clinical reasoning.

Conclusion -The medical community will need to find ways to both educate physicians and trainees and guide patients about the safe adoption of these tools.

The Impact of AI Chatbots in UK Healthcare

1. Enhanced efficiency in diagnoses

AI chatbots are used to diagnose the patient's health problem even if it is complex in nature.They can give quick analysis regarding symptoms,histories and assessments.

2. Immediate Response

It reduces the trouble in concentrating or making decisions ,solving minor problems and more facilitation in emergency situation

3. Real Time Consuming

They act as a time saver by reducing the load in administrative works mainly in complex cases

4. Document preparation

Traditional Method	AI-Assisted Method
Manual Notes	Automated Scripts
Time consuming	Real time data saver
Chances of errors	Accurate information

5.Improve Consistency-They help in streamlined documentation

Methods in using AI Chatbots

“We surveyed GPs registered with the clinician marketing service Doctors.net.uk, the largest professional network for UK doctors currently registered with the General Medical Council,7 with 254 741 members out of a total of approximately 379 208 registered UK doctors (67%).8 The study was launched as a monthly ‘omnibus survey’ which has predetermined sample sizes of 1000 participants and participants are requested to answer all closed-ended questions. “

1.Used in Medical Research and Literature review by scanning vast database and give recent updates

2.By self analysis they can provide suggestions to diagnose

3.Maintaining patient record and give needed information at the time of treatment

4.Their results are efficient and accurate in prediction

Benefits

1. Faster access to information

2. Accurate prediction

3. Enhanced summary report

Challenges

1. Repetitive text in all summaries

2. Keeping it updated and maintaining it biassed

Results of using Chatbox

“*Of the 1006 respondents, 531 (53%) respondents were men, 544 (54%) were 46 years or older. Describing their roles, 455 (45%) reported ‘GP Partner/Principal’, 341 (34%) ‘Salaried GP’, 181 (18%) ‘Locum GP’ and 29 (3%) ‘GP Registrar’. In online supplemental appendix 3 we describe how the respondents differ from current UK GPs. 20% (205) reported using generative AI tools in clinical practice; of those who answered affirmatively and were invited to clarify further, 29% (47) reported using these tools to generate documentation after patient appointments and 28% (45) to suggest a differential diagnosis.”*

Risk Factor	Potential Consequence
Extraction of Data	Profile has no authorisation
Ads within target	Risk in data breach
Insurance coverage	Sometime unfair treatment
No clear data storage	Ownership policies
Limitations in Access	No potential bias

Discussion

In February 2024, the largest survey on doctors' use of generative AI in clinical practice was conducted, more than a year after the launch of ChatGPT.1 in 5 UK GPs reported using LLM-powered chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT) for clinical tasks.More than 25% of GPs who used generative AI employed it for tasks such as documentation after patient appointments or differential diagnosis.It is valuable tool for healthcare diagnosis.and helps a lot in decision making .Main challenges lies in subtle errors and recording patient history.

Potential privacy risk includes lack of standards in data handling ,there may be misuse of standard medical norms,it is clear there is third party involvement in patient record.Cyber security needs to be in standard form .

To organise these methods and to help in implementing the same the following need to be considered such that there should be proper ethical norm for AI and regulations in privacy .Always there should be limitations in using AI and for data handling methods.Proper use case are defined for patient healthcare.GDPR compliance are to be considered while using AI.Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) are regulated.

“Lack of regulatory guidance: The study emphasizes that despite the increasing use of AI tools, there is still a lack of clear policies or guidelines on how these technologies should be integrated into healthcare safely.”

Future of AI in Healthcare

1.Open to AI algorithms

2.Improves Diagnosis

3.High in standardising data

4.More Trainings are organised

5.Ensures more protection of data

Conclusion

Combination of AI chatbots in UK healthcare has created a major impact on diagnosis and documentation processes,helping doctors with vital support in their daily practices. They helping enhanced output and proper cyber security .There may be some crucial factors on confidentiality which can be resolved by some regulatory measures .Healthcare can utilise the chat box for making their work easy but it should be properly monitored and done with proper guidance among doctors and patients

References

1.https://informatics.bmj.com/content/31/1/e101102#sec-9

2.https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240926/UK-doctors-turn-to-AI-chatbots-for-diagnoses-and-documentation-but-are-they-putting-patient-privacy-at-risk.aspx

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