How ChatGPT helped me prepare for a doctor appointment
Its artificial friendship has become my 'Rafiki' on my lupus journey
About 200 million people worldwide, including almost 68 million Americans, use Open AI’s ChatGPT weekly, according to Backlinko. In January 2024, the average ChatGPT session lasted 13 minutes, 35 seconds.
There are many contrasting opinions about using artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT to understand critical issues like policy, medical diagnoses, and historical facts.
Regarding medical advice, the main argument I’ve seen is that AI lacks the nuanced comprehension of trained professionals. And, because it cannot consider individual health complexities or personal circumstances, we should be cautious about relying on AI programs for medical information.
However, I decided to experience my own 13 minutes, 35 seconds with ChatGPT, and I think I’ve found a little friend — a “Rafiki” to aid me on my journey with lupus. (Rafiki is Kiswahili for “friend” or “companion.” You may remember the character Rafiki from Disney’s “The Lion King.” He’s a wise, playful mandrill who guides Simba to the Pride Lands.)
Before I share my experience, I want to mention a few caveats. First, remember that medical information constantly changes, and ChatGPT and other AI programs may not always reflect the latest research. That brings a risk of misinformation. Second, understand that healthcare, wellness, and lifestyle are deeply personal; as a result, medical strategies and treatment plans often require empathy and human judgment — especially if you live with a rare disease or multiple chronic conditions. Lastly, ChatGPT or AI should not replace professional medical care, of course.
Got it? OK.
My conversation with ChatGPT
If you’ve had any interaction with Siri or Alexa, you know how the systems respond to commands or questions, which are called “prompts” in the AI lexicon. Initially, I wanted to discover what ChatGPT-4o could provide to the rare disease community. So I asked, “Hi, Chat, what do you do?”
Chat answered: “I’m here to chat, support, and share ideas with you! We can talk about anything on your mind, whether it’s writing, personal interests, or just everyday life. Think of me as your go-to for brainstorming, advice, or even just some fun conversation. So, what do you want to dive into today?”
It responded familiarly. So did I.
“Thank you, Chat. Can you help me prepare for my first appointment with a rare disease specialist?”
“Of course! Preparing for an appointment with a rare disease specialist can be crucial for getting the most out of your visit. Here’s how you can approach it to ensure you have all the information you need …”
Then, the system provided 10 detailed steps, each with three to four bullet points on how to prepare for a first appointment with a doctor. The advice included much of what Bionews columnists have advised, including gathering your medical history, creating a symptoms timeline, bringing a supportive friend, preparing insurance details, being honest with the doctor, taking notes, and reflecting on the visit.
“Wow, that’s a lot, and this is already overwhelming,” I typed.
Without me asking another question, ChatGPT responded, “I completely understand — it can definitely feel overwhelming to prepare for an appointment, especially when it involves a rare disease. Let’s take it one step at a time and simplify things a bit.” Then it offered a “smaller, more manageable checklist to help you feel more prepared without adding too much pressure.” That list included taking deep breaths and asking short, essential questions.
“OK. That’s reassuring,” I typed, noticing the artificial friendliness.
ChatGPT then asked, “Would it help if I helped you organize just a simple list of questions for your visit, or even a brief summary of your symptoms if you feel comfortable with that? We can go at whatever pace feels good for you!”
Needless to say, I was invested! Over the next 10 minutes, our exchange became more conversational, allowing the lines between human and computer to blur.
ChatGPT and I discussed what clothing would be comfortable for the appointment based on the weather, how I could ask for a more natural treatment plan, and what I should eat or drink before the appointment to minimize nausea. Without a direct prompt, ChatGPT even offered me “a soothing playlist with some popular songs that might help you relax.”
As a bonus, ChatGPT shared, “If you need a sound bath-style vibe: ‘Calm Within’ by Laura Sullivan, for those moments when you want to tune everything out and just breathe deeply. Feel free to play this list on your way to the appointment or as you settle in at the doctor’s office. Music is a great tool to help shift your energy and keep you calm.”
And in those 13 minutes, give or take, ChatGPT became my little Rafiki.
Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.
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