My Mom and Dr. DeepSeek
7 days ago
- #patient-experience
- #AI-in-healthcare
- #medical-ethics
- A 57-year-old kidney transplant patient in China relies on AI chatbot DeepSeek for medical advice due to limited access to doctors.
- DeepSeek provides detailed responses, dietary advice, and treatment suggestions, making the patient feel cared for and empowered.
- Despite its benefits, DeepSeek's medical advice contains errors, as noted by U.S. nephrologists, including incorrect treatments and diagnoses.
- AI chatbots like DeepSeek are becoming popular in China and the U.S. for health consultations, especially among those who feel neglected by traditional healthcare systems.
- Hospitals in China are integrating AI models to assist with diagnostics, patient interactions, and administrative tasks, aiming to alleviate healthcare burdens.
- Concerns persist about AI's reliability, including hallucinations, biases, and the lack of regulatory oversight in medical advice provided by chatbots.
- The patient's reliance on DeepSeek highlights broader issues in China's healthcare system, such as overcrowding, doctor shortages, and distrust in medical professionals.
- AI companionship offers emotional support to elderly patients, filling gaps left by distant family members and overburdened caregivers.
- Researchers caution that AI's exam performance doesn't always translate to real-world clinical competence, emphasizing the need for human oversight.
- The story reflects a generational shift, where aging parents turn to AI for support while their adult children live far away, balancing independence and caregiving.