The new age of healthcare began with artificial intelligence, which can potentially transform patient care in uncountable ways. One area where AI is making significant progress is in providing medical advice.
According to recent studies, when it comes to giving medical advice, AI may exceed human clinicians regarding patient satisfaction. This could significantly shape the future of medical communications, especially with the growing reliance on electronic health records (EHRs) for patient interactions.
Study Overview

In a study by the JAMA Network, researchers evaluated AI and clinician responses to patient medical questions. Two AI models were employed, namely ChatGPT 4 from OpenAI and a version developed by Stanford Healthcare. Both these models were required to respond to clinical questions, and 30 survey respondents evaluated the answers on several aspects, including satisfaction. Six certified medical professionals also assessed the response's accuracy and reliability.
Surprisingly, the satisfaction scores for AI-generated responses were much higher. Participants gave the AI response rating of 3.96 on a 5-point scale, whereas clinicians gave them a score of 3.05 on the same measure. This could be due to AI's ability to provide more comprehensive and detailed responses, which can be particularly beneficial in complex medical situations. Notably, AI's answers to questions about cardiology received the most satisfaction, while AI also excels in endocrinology questions regarding information quality and empathy.
Key Findings
One surprising finding was the difference in response length between AI and clinicians. The AI-generated responses were significantly longer, averaging almost 1,470 characters compared to the average of 254 characters provided by physicians.
But it wasn't the length of the AI responses that drove higher satisfaction. Longer clinician responses correlated with higher satisfaction levels, particularly in cardiovascular-related questions, while AI's response length had no significant effect on satisfaction levels.

Implications for Healthcare
The study underscores how AI can enhance communication between patients and clinicians by offering more comprehensive, detailed responses that patients find more engaging. In certain medical scenarios, patients may prioritize thoroughness or clarity over empathy, as satisfaction didn't always align with the clinician's assessments of quality versus empathy.
As AI continues to advance, it has the potential to enrich patient experiences in healthcare settings. However, this will necessitate a thoughtful consideration of patient needs and preferences, ensuring that AI is not just a tool, but a partner in delivering high-quality care.