AMA issues patient guidance on safe healthcare chatbot use
AMA released patient-facing prompts and cautions for health AI chatbot use, saying AI should supplement, not replace, physician expertise.
The American Medical Association has released patient-facing guidance on using AI chatbots safely in healthcare. The group said patients should use AI tools to inform conversations with physicians, not to replace medical judgment.
AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH, said patients should use AI to “complement—not replace” physician advice. He said medical expertise remains irreplaceable.
Five recommended prompts are included in the guidance. They cover exploring possible causes of symptoms, simplifying medical terms, adding personal context, comparing treatment options, and preparing questions for a physician visit.
Patient warnings are also included. AMA said AI tools should not be used in emergencies or relied on for diagnosis or treatment decisions, and patients should protect their privacy when using chatbots.
AMA has separately urged Congress to establish stronger safeguards for AI chatbots, including transparency requirements, clinician-title protections, and regulatory boundaries for chatbot diagnosis or treatment claims in mental healthcare.
Delaware enacted House Bill 191 on April 23, clarifying that nonhuman entities, including AI agents, may not be licensed as physicians, physician assistants, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, or practical nurses. The law also bars such entities from using those professional titles.
ACR said the Delaware law supports title protection as AI tools spread in healthcare. The college also noted similar state action in Oregon, Washington, and California.
Company:AMA
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