14 June, 2023

I’m an ER doctor. Here’s how I’m already using ChatGPT to help treat patients.

https://inflecthealth.medium.com/im-an-er-doctor-here-s-how-i-m-already-using-chatgpt-to-help-treat-patients-a023615c65b6

In doing so, I’ve come to realize that dealing with ChatGPT is like working with an incredibly brilliant, hard-working — and occasionally hungover — intern. That’s become my mental model for considering the usefulness of ChatGPT.

Now, for any potential application, I think, “Would a dedicated but occasionally hungover intern working on this make things easier for me and my staff — or would the work required managing them end up being more effort than just doing it without their involvement?”

Seen from that perspective, ChatGPT or a hungover intern can still, for instance:

  • Take down my patient’s history
  • Create long-form written communication for patients and staff
  • Explain highly technical information to patients simply with empathy and compassion