Chatbots is the modern reality of consulting in medicine

Abstract

Introduction. Modern digital innovations and artificial intelligence technologies are being actively introduced in Medicine. Now chatbots are able to provide consulting services and make appointments for patients, make a diagnosis. Chatbots can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of symptom detection, assist in remote biomonitoring. Goal. To study the possibilities of development and directions of implementation of chatbots based on artificial intelligence technologies in medicine and to assess the potential of their application. Material and methods. The study is prospective, includes analysis of secondary information and conducting an expert interview on issues related to the development, application practice, and distribution of chatbots. Results. The survey showed most experts already to see the need to introduce chatbots in Medicine. The main advantages are: getting an “instant” response and saving patients’ time. The disadvantages of using chatbots may be: “incorrect interpretation” of both user requests and interpretation by patients. Experts see risks in the “erroneous” diagnosis and in the “measure of responsibility”. Limitations of research. The research materials are limited by the results of an expert survey conducted in 2023 and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the respondents who met the requirements for experts. Conclusions. Chatbots in the field of healthcare have already become a reality in consulting and providing the necessary medical information. Thanks to the development of information technologies, chatbots are able to process significant amounts of data received from patients, quickly and accurately find answers, provide information support, and establish a preliminary diagnosis. Such solutions can reduce the burden on medical professionals and increase patient satisfaction.