MANSI BHAMBRI/Dehradun
People are advised to seek treatment from doctors for any health issues rather than relying on self-medication through Artificial Intelligence (AI) consultations, doctors said. They cautioned that AI-based treatment advice can result in negative consequences for patients. It is being noted that many turn to AI for a variety of consultations, including health concerns such as fever, colds and coughs among others. Taking a serious note of this trend, doctors have raised concerns and emphasised the importance of avoiding self-medication through AI for health issues.
Commenting on this, Dehradun chief medical officer (CMO), Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma highlighted that there is a significant difference between guidance from a doctor and AI-guided treatment. “AI lacks specific knowledge and offers superficial information generalised for the masses rather than tailored to individual peculiarities. In contrast, doctors possess in-depth knowledge regarding different ailments and treat each patient according to his or her specific needs,” he said.
Explaining further, he said that when individuals consult doctors, the physicians assess the medical needs they require, taking into account their personalities, allergy history and symptoms among other factors before determining an appropriate treatment plan. “Relying on AI for self-medication may result in worsening of their conditions, allergies and other complications they face. This is why, they should seek advice from a doctor rather than resort to self-medication through AI. If anyone has used AI for treatment and experienced adverse reactions thereafter, he or she should consult a doctor immediately without delay,” he advised.
Echoing the same concerns, the former principal medical superintendent at Deen Dayal Upadhyay District Hospital in Dehradun Dr V S Chauhan said that the trend of individuals turning to AI for self-medication more often than not ends up in negative effects. “AI lacks the ability to perform physical examinations of patients as doctors can. Doctors assess patients’ conditions through observations, inquire about their medical history and consider various other factors. After evaluating all these aspects comprehensively, doctors recommend specific antibiotics, medications and further treatments tailored to the patient’s specific needs,” he said.
Taking the example of one with diabetes, he said that if a blood sugar patient consults an AI for advice, AI might suggest medication. “Their elevated sugar levels could potentially be managed through dietary changes instead of medication. In such cases, doctors monitor their patients and then initiate appropriate treatment plans. The people should thus differentiate the deep from the superficial in the interests of their own health,” he cautioned.
