Health – Use caution consulting Dr Google

Early in my career as a physiotherapist (frighteningly over 18 years ago!) sometimes a client would come forward with a diagnosis after having ‘googled’ their knee, ankle or shoulder pain. The information was often superficial, had some correct elements but overall lacked the nuance of the person sitting in front of me. 

We are now in 2026 where the level of insight that can be found online is vastly different. AI tools such as Claude or Chat GPT can give much deeper levels of reasoning. Though I am a big supporter of curiosity in one’s health, here are a few thoughts on why we should be careful relying too much on AI for our health concerns. 

Where health information is black and white, AI tools will prove increasingly useful. There are already digital tools being used to interpret x-rays and some other advanced imaging. In the future radiology as a profession will likely need less human input, instead switching to oversight. Rather than relying on an individual radiologist’s experience of interpreting an x-ray or MRI of a certain injury, the AI tool can refer to potentially hundreds or even thousands of scans all around the world to confirm a diagnosis.  

However, most aspects of what makes us human lies in complexity. I recognise that machine learning of AI will improve over time, however for me there will always be gaps. When we go through a ‘subjective’ assessment with a client in a physio clinic, we are asking key questions to understand more about the person and their injury (in that order). Often an answer will prompt another series of questions, diving deeper into the detail of their story. This helps us to form a diagnosis and then collaboratively plan their recovery journey. 

Beyond this, sometimes the most crucial aspects to recovery, aren’t just what is said (or typed). The client might suddenly sigh, their posture might change, emotions come bubbling up, a wince when describing the injury and how it happened. Sensing these subtle shifts with empathy, we can slowly unpack the emotional, human impact of an injury. The two-way impact on relationships, work, stress, children or more. 

The reassurance that a health care professional can provide is just as therapeutic and important as the medication, exercise, strapping or treatment that we deliver. At a biochemical level, the release of oxytocin (the “human connection” chemical) and seratonin (the “wellbeing” chemical”), occur when one person feels support from another. This is what AI will never be able to genuinely replicate. The direct, in-person, human to human connection. 

The use of AI is accelerating across all sectors, and the jury is still out as to whether it will be a net good, or not.  In healthcare I believe there are aspects that will be positive. However, I personally believe and would like to hope, that the power of direct human connection with your healthcare professionals will still be more powerful.