In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, a new study reveals a significant shift in how parents are starting to seek health care advice for their children. The research study finds that parents are turning to online artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT more than traditional health care professionals for health advice.
The new research study from the University of Kansas Life Span Institute involved 116 parents who reviewed health-related texts on topics such as infant sleep training and nutrition, comparing AI-generated material with that created by healthcare professionals. Many of the participants did not find any differences between the online advice and the advice from traditional health care providers. Participants also noted that the AI content was often more reliable.
“Participants found minimal distinctions between vignettes written by experts and those generated by prompt-engineered ChatGPT,” said doctoral student Calissa Leslie-Miller, the study leader, in a recent interview with Parents.com. “When vignettes were statistically significantly different, ChatGPT was rated as more trustworthy, accurate, and reliable.”
Jim Boswell, CEO of OnPoint Healthcare Partners, has developed an AI-based platform that supports clinicians, suggests that AI responses are usually more straightforward and direct. These tools often present content in a direct and understandable manner without parents waiting for a physicians callback or an appointment.
“Sometimes, parents want that first layer of guidance to ease their worries or give them some direction immediately—whether they’re at home or out and about,” Boswell explained in the same interview.
However, despite the convenience of AI-generated advice, experts warn of its potential risks.
“Information may be inaccurate or not tailored to specific circumstances. For example, suggesting medication for a child who is too young or offering incorrect treatment advice could lead to a wide range of dangerous outcomes,” said Leslie-Miller.
Boswell added, “Relying on these tools for medical advice could lead to missed symptoms, misinterpretations of serious conditions, or delays in seeking appropriate care. For kids, in particular, small health issues can escalate quickly, so having a qualified professional assess a situation is essential.”
If parents feel compelled to search out answers online, Leslie-Miller recommends that they consult trusted sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, and the WHO.
Yet, as AI tools become more and more integrated into our everyday lives, clinicians and health care providers will unquestionably have to provide oversight, reliability, and accuracy to programmers in order to create a more informed platform where parents can can make health care decisions for their families.