Is your doctor really writing to you? How artificial intelligence affects the communication between the doctor and the patient

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare has caused profound changes in the way doctors communicate with their patients. Due to the huge demand and large number of patient reports, AI tools are becoming an essential resource for many healthcare professionals. But have you ever wondered if your doctor's response was entirely human? AI-powered systems like MyChart are quietly stepping in to help doctors manage patient requests, perhaps without even realizing it.

AI-driven platforms now help doctors compose answers, analyze patient histories, and even predict appropriate treatment based on data. The benefits of saving time for healthcare providers are undeniable, especially in a world where doctors struggle with burnout and heavy patient workloads. However, as AI-generated messages become more common, ethical issues have arisen. Should patients be informed that the answers they receive are partly or entirely written by AI?

While AI helps reduce cognitive load and allows doctors to focus on more critical cases, there is a risk of over-reliance on automation. What if AI misses an important detail in a patient's health? The complexity of human health and the personal connection in the doctor-patient relationship may be undermined when machine-generated responses replace thoughtful, individualized care.

The dispute goes beyond mere efficiency. Some health systems disclose when AI creates messages, while others say that informing patients can undermine trust. The real question is: do patients deserve to know when their care is being processed by a machine? As AI technology continues to evolve, transparency can become a key factor in maintaining the integrity of healthcare communications.

Personal opinion:

The advancement of AI in healthcare communication is a double-edged sword. While this is a powerful tool to ease the workload of doctors, there is a need to be more open with patients about how they are being treated. After all, trust is the foundation of any doctor-patient relationship, and that trust should not be compromised by automation.

To learn more about the ethical challenges of AI in healthcare, visit The Hastings Center, a leading bioethics research institution.