How to Use A.I. Chatbots Safely & Wisely for Health Questions

Use of Artificial intelligence chatbots

The use of Artificial Intelligence chatbots has quickly become part of how people look for health information — for better or worse. A KFF poll from June 2024 found that about one in six adults regularly turns to A.I. for medical guidance, and experts believe that number has only grown.

Studies show that tools like ChatGPT can pass medical exams and even outperform humans on certain clinical reasoning tasks. But these same systems are also known to invent facts, and in some cases, their incorrect medical suggestions have caused real harm.

Dr. Ainsley MacLean, former chief A.I. officer for the Mid‑Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, said this doesn’t mean people should avoid chatbots entirely. Instead, she emphasized using them with caution. They can be extremely helpful for breaking down confusing medical language, preparing questions for your doctor, or helping you understand a diagnosis or treatment plan. But they are not a substitute for a physician, and users should be especially careful when asking for diagnoses or medical advice.

Start practicing before you really need it

Most people have learned how to judge the quality of Google search results, said Dr. Raina Merchant of Penn Medicine. But A.I. chatbots are still new for many, and learning how to ask questions effectively takes practice.

Dr. Robert Pearl, author of ChatGPT, MD, recommends experimenting with chatbots when you’re not dealing with a serious health issue. Think back to questions your doctor has answered well in the past, then ask those same questions to a chatbot. Compare the responses and try different ways of phrasing your prompts. This helps you understand where the chatbot is strong and where it struggles.

He also warns that chatbots tend to be overly agreeable. If you ask a leading question like “Shouldn’t I get an MRI,” the model may simply validate your assumption. Neutral, open‑ended questions — or phrasing things in the third person (“What would you tell a patient with a persistent cough”) — can help avoid this.

Give context, but protect your privacy

Chatbots only know what you share with them, said Dr. Michael Turken of UCSF Health. Adding details like age, medical history, medications, or lifestyle can help the model give more tailored information. For example, hip pain could have dozens of causes, but personal context helps narrow the possibilities.

However, privacy is a major concern. Dr. Ravi Parikh of Emory University notes that most popular chatbots are not covered by HIPAA, and it’s unclear who may access stored conversations. Avoid sharing identifying information or uploading full medical records, which often include sensitive details.

If privacy matters to you, many chatbots offer anonymous or incognito modes that limit data retention. There are also HIPAA‑compliant medical A.I. tools — such as My Doctor Friend, Counsel Health, and Doctronic — designed specifically for health‑related use.

Reset or check in during long conversations

Chatbots, especially free versions, can lose track of important details during long chats. Dr. Parikh suggests using paid models for medical questions because they generally have better memory and reasoning.

If you prefer to keep a long thread going, Dr. Merchant recommends periodically asking the chatbot to summarize what it knows about your medical history so far. This helps catch misunderstandings early and keeps the conversation accurate.

Encourage the chatbot to ask questions

Unlike doctors, chatbots rarely ask follow‑up questions on their own, said Dr. Turken. This can be dangerous when you’re asking about symptoms or possible diagnoses.

To compensate, he suggests prompting the chatbot with something like: “Ask me any additional questions you need to reason safely.” You’ll likely get a burst of questions, and it’s important to answer them carefully. If you skip one, the model probably won’t ask again.

With enough detail, chatbots can generate a “differential diagnosis” — a ranked list of possible explanations for your symptoms. But remember: they lack real‑world clinical experience and may include rare or alarming possibilities that aren’t likely.

Challenge the chatbot’s thinking

Every source of health information comes with a built‑in perspective, and A.I. is no different, said Dr. Pearl. The challenge is that chatbots often sound confident even when they’re wrong.

Dr. MacLean recommends asking for sources and verifying that they actually exist. Push the chatbot to explain its reasoning and ask tough follow‑up questions. “Stay engaged,” she said. “No one cares more about your health than you.”

You can also ask the chatbot to take on different perspectives — for example, first as a primary care doctor, then as a specialist — to deepen the analysis. Dr. Turken suggests asking the model to critique its own first answer and then reconcile the two responses. But no matter how convincing the chatbot sounds, always double‑check its information with reliable medical resources and your doctor.

Experts say there are no strict rules about what you can ask a chatbot. What matters most is how you use the information. Treat A.I. as a learning tool — not a decision maker.

Bajaj, Simar. “How to Use A.I. Chatbots Wisely for Health Questions.” The New York Times, Oct. 30, 2025.