Ditch the Notes, Talk to AI: My Revolutionary Doctor's Visit

Imagine walking into your doctor's office feeling confident, prepared, and heard.? That's exactly what happened to me thanks to a surprising experiment using AI and a little self-reflection.? As the author of "Future Healthcare Today: How Technology is Revolutionizing Holistic Wellness," I've been advocating for the "Patient Listener" concept: a human and/or technology-assisted approach to improve communication and empower patients.? But recently, I put theory into practice – and the results were remarkable.

NOTE- I used Bard/Gemini but you can also use other Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT.

Here's how I "Listened" to myself using AI:

1.??? Unfiltered Verbal Outpouring: I used Speechnotes, a speech-to-text app, to freely talk about everything related to my symptoms and conditions, concerns, past attempts, and more.? It was a many-minute stream of consciousness, capturing everything on my mind, which I then emailed to myself.

2.??? Merging the Pieces: I combined this raw transcript with my existing notes and emails, creating a lengthy (1,351-word!) text document.

3.??? AI Steps In: I asked Google Bard/Gemini to summarize this document for my doctor, highlighting key points. From what I can see, Bard only considered my notes and emails, and ignored my speech-to-text because I didn't use punctuation in my verbal outpouring. In the future, I'll make sure to speak with punctuation, e.g. periods, commas, etc.

4.??? Personalized Worksheet: Bard delivered a fantastic "worksheet" summarizing my health concerns, perfect for our appointment. I don't want to share my personalized worksheet, so I asked Bard to make a fictitious sample based on the same format as my personalized one (see below).

5.??? Beyond Summary: In addition to my personalized worksheet, I also used Bard to answer specific questions I had, ensuring I was fully prepared for the visit.

The Result: A Doctor-Patient Dialogue Transformed:

I was amazed by the clarity and detail of the AI-generated worksheet.? My doctor seemed to like it too. It served as a springboard for a productive, efficient conversation.? Gone were the usual fumbling for details and missed points.? Instead, we had a focused discussion, addressing my concerns comprehensively.

Skeptical? - Try it yourself using the same procedure as I outlined above. Astonish yourself and your doctor! Also, in doing so, you also learn about yourself, because what you said and wrote is you. This is a form of "reflecting" used in good listening. In this exercise, you might discover your own diagnosis and know what to do about it (but still consider checking it out with a professional just to be sure, if your doubtful).

Here's how to do it:

1. Describe your current symptoms, any recent changes, and what else is going on in your life now - Use speech to text and/or just text - take your time and be thorough. Be sure to include punctuation when speaking into your Speech to Text App though, so I learned.
2. Go to Google Bard and use this prompt into "Enter Prompt Here" > Please summarize this text for an upcoming doctor's visit and include the reason for the visit, key points, background, concerns, questions for the doctor, desired outcomes, additional information, etc. "Your Text". > Press Enter. Don’t give up if it tells you it can’t do it – just do it again until it does give good results.? (It’s learning like I am).
3. View the results. Bard gives you 3 Drafts at a time. Pick the one you like the best or ask it to Regenerate Drafts for more results. You can also tweak the prompt to give you the desired results, too.
4. Copy and paste your selected Draft into a word processor for editing, if necessary, or just email it to yourself, ready to send to your doctor.
5. As I just said, you can send your Summary to your doctor via email or patient portal so that your doctor can review it before you visit. Be sure to bring your printed Summary too though, since sometimes things get lost or overlooked.

Beyond the usual summary structure (key points, background, questions, and additional information), AI can also assist with:

• Identifying possible causes: Suggesting potential explanations for your symptoms based on your text and medical history.
• Highlighting red flags: Pointing out any alarming symptoms that require urgent medical attention.
• Comparing to medical conditions: Providing context by mentioning similar medical conditions based on your description.
• Offering lifestyle advice: Recommending relevant lifestyle changes or home remedies (remember, not a substitute for professional advice).
• Creating visual aids: Utilizing charts or diagrams to visually represent your symptoms or medical history for improved clarity.
• Finding relevant studies: Summarizing findings from medical studies related to your concerns or potential diagnoses.
• Providing educational resources: Offering links to credible medical websites or articles for further information.
• Maintaining confidentiality: Keeping all information you provide confidential and not accessing your medical records.
• Who knows what else? All we have to do is ask!

How a patient summary preparatory document can benefit a patient:

Enhanced Communication and Expression:

• Complete your thoughts: Capture all your concerns and details clearly, ensuring nothing is forgotten or glossed over during the appointment.
• Express yourself freely: Overcome potential communication anxieties or language barriers, ensuring your full story and worries are understood.
• Organize your thoughts: Structure your narrative logically, making it easier for both you and the doctor to follow and discuss key points.

Increased Clarity and Focus:

• Set the agenda: Prioritize your concerns and guide the conversation toward the issues that matter most to you.
• Avoid distractions: Prevent irrelevant tangents or forgetfulness, ensuring the appointment stays focused on your specific needs.
• Clarify your medical history: Provide a concise overview of your medical background, medications, and past events relevant to your current visit.

Empowerment and Collaboration:

• Take control: Shift the power dynamic from doctor-led to a collaborative approach, where you actively participate in your care decisions.
• Ask informed questions: The summary helps you formulate specific and relevant questions to ask the doctor based on your concerns.
• Become a partner: By being well-prepared and informed, you engage in a more meaningful dialogue with your doctor, leading to better collaboration.

Additional Benefits:

• Reduce anxiety: Feeling prepared can ease pre-appointment stress and nervousness, leading to a calmer and more productive visit. For patients confronting seemingly uncontrollable health situations, proactive engagement in their care, such as compiling a pre-visit summary, can be a powerful tool for reclaiming a sense of control and fostering informed decision-making.
• Improve efficiency: Both you and the doctor can save time by having a clear structure and focus for the conversation.
• Better follow-up: The document serves as a reference point for both you and your doctor during future consultations.

How a Patient Summary Can Benefit Healthcare Providers:

Increased Efficiency and Focus:

• Clear agenda and priorities: The summary highlights key concerns and desired outcomes, streamlining the appointment.
• Reduced need for repetition: Patients come prepared, minimizing the need to gather basic information.
• More time for deeper discussion: With less time spent on background, the consultation can delve deeper into complex issues.

Improved Communication and Understanding:

• Patient's perspective: Gain valuable insights into the patient's thoughts, feelings, and experiences beyond objective symptoms.
• Enhanced clarity: Factual context and organized presentation ensure better comprehension of the patient's narrative.
• Reduced language barriers: Speech-to-text summaries can bridge communication gaps for non-native speakers.

Optimized Decision-Making and Follow-up:

• Holistic view: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the patient's situation, aiding in more informed treatment decisions.
• Shared reference point: The summary serves as a collaborative document for future consultations and follow-up care.
• Improved patient engagement: Empowered patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and actively participate in their care.

Overall:

• Enhanced patient satisfaction: Prepared patients feel heard, understood, and involved, leading to greater satisfaction and trust.
• More productive consultations: Focused and efficient appointments benefit both patients and healthcare providers.
• Better healthcare outcomes: Improved communication and collaboration between patients and providers ultimately lead to better health outcomes.

This is just the beginning!....The Future of Healthcare: How Generative AI like Bard Can Revolutionize Healthcare

The integration of generative AI like Bard into healthcare holds immense potential to transform doctor-patient communication, diagnosis, treatment, and even self-help. Here's a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead:

Enhanced Communication and Understanding:

• Empathetic AI Assistants: Imagine AI companions that actively listen to patient's concerns, fears, and experiences, providing emotional support and guiding them through self-expression.
• Personalized Communication Tools: AI-powered language translation and cultural sensitivity adjustments can ensure seamless communication regardless of language barriers or cultural backgrounds.
• Real-time Symptom Analysis: Advanced AI algorithms can analyze patients' descriptions of symptoms, potentially identifying patterns and suggesting relevant questions for more accurate diagnoses.

Revolutionizing Diagnosis and Treatment:

• AI-powered Medical Imaging Analysis: Generative AI can assist in analyzing medical images with incredible accuracy, potentially aiding in the early detection of diseases and personalized treatment planning.
• Drug Discovery and Development: AI can analyze vast datasets of medical research and patient data, aiding in identifying potential drug targets and accelerating the development of new treatments.
• Precision Medicine/Healthcare: By analyzing a patient's unique genetic/personality makeup and medical history, AI can suggest personalized treatment options with higher efficacy and fewer side effects.

Empowering Self-Care and Prevention:

• AI-powered Health Coaches: Personalized AI coaches can guide patients through self-management plans for chronic conditions, offering tailored advice and encouragement.
• Mental Health Support: AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can provide accessible mental health support, offering coping mechanisms, mindfulness exercises, and emotional support.
• Predictive Risk Assessment: By analyzing lifestyle and health data, AI can proactively identify individuals at risk of developing certain diseases, prompting preventative measures.
• Democratizing Healthcare Globally: Imagine AI-powered healthcare assistants crossing language barriers and geographical limitations, making quality medical advice accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world (free or low-cost).

Envisioning the Implementation:

• Secure and HIPAA-compliant Apps: Develop user-friendly mobile apps that allow patients to securely record their thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and medical history for AI analysis.
• Integration with Electronic Health Records: Seamless integration with existing EHR systems ensures smooth data flow and comprehensive patient profiles.
• Clear Ethical Guidelines and Transparency: Establishing clear ethical guidelines and ensuring transparency in AI development and usage is crucial to building trust and addressing potential biases.

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This is just the beginning of an exciting journey. As generative AI like Bard continues to evolve, its potential to improve healthcare access, communication, and outcomes is limitless. By responsibly leveraging this technology, we can empower patients, enhance doctor-patient relationships, and ultimately create a healthier future for all.

Remember, AI is a tool, and its success hinges on ethical implementation and human oversight. The future of healthcare lies in a collaborative approach where AI empowers, but never replaces, the irreplaceable human connection and expertise of healthcare professionals.

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The future of healthcare is here, and it involves empowering patients like never before.? If you're curious about this future, dive into my book "Future Healthcare Today: How Technology is Revolutionizing Holistic Wellness".? Let's work together to make patient-centered care a reality!

P.S. This is (as far as I know) the first instance of using Generative AI to create a personalized patient-doctor communication worksheet.? It's a potential "proof of concept" for my "Patient Listener" concept, and I'm thrilled with the results!? Let's discuss how we can take this further! - Or better yet, build on my work and far surpass my efforts.

This article is part of a series of articles by me (and AI) that show what's been done before in healthcare - and what could be done for better healthcare - all to the benefit of patients.

Thanks to Generative AI, Google Bard/Gemini, for help preparing this article. Article is for information only and is not medical advice.