Connected media – Associated media
As the volume of messages sent by patients to their doctors via communication platforms like MyChart skyrockets, a growing number of healthcare professionals are adopting artificial intelligence tools to manage their communication. Unbeknownst to many patients, some of the responses they receive may be crafted by AI.
A screenshot of the MyChart application on a smartphone displays a graph charting a patient’s blood pressure readings, accompanied by promotional text that touts, “All your health information in one place.” This patient portal, widely embraced across U.S. hospitals, now incorporates an AI-driven feature that assists doctors in drafting messages to their patients.
Every day, countless messages detailing symptoms and medical concerns—from the consistency of rashes to changes in vital signs—are sent to doctors using platforms like MyChart. While patients expect personal responses from their doctors, the reality is shifting. Currently, about 15,000 doctors and medical assistants across over 150 healthcare systems are utilizing AI to create initial responses to these patient inquiries.
This shift towards AI-assisted communication highlights a significant transformation in the healthcare communication landscape, where efficiency is becoming as crucial as effectiveness. The use of AI not only helps manage the heavy influx of daily patient communications but also ensures timely responses, potentially improving patient satisfaction and engagement.
Teddy Rosenbluth, a health reporter and participant in the 2024-25 Times Fellowship for emerging journalists, explores this evolution in patient-doctor interactions, emphasizing the blend of technology and personalized care in modern medicine.
Associated media – Linked media
