AMA warns patients not to rely on AI for diagnosis
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.
About the author
RadiologySignal.com writersEditorial Team
Radiology Signal Staff covers developments across medical imaging, radiology AI, imaging informatics, clinical research, and radiology business. The team monitors primary sources, peer-reviewed studies, company announcements, society updates, and healthcare industry news to deliver concise reporting for imaging professionals.
More from this section
MOC-linked radiation oncology care associated with lower Medicare costs
A retrospective Medicare Part B analysis found that radiation oncologists voluntarily participating in ABR maintenance of certification used more advanced techniques and had 10.31% lower Medicare costs per treatment course.
Senators reintroduce MARCA radiologist assistant reimbursement bill
The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act would allow radiologists to submit Medicare claims for nondiagnostic services performed by radiologist assistants under direct supervision in hospital and office settings.
House committee advances Medicare physician payment reform bill
The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 would limit annual Medicare conversion-factor changes to ±2.5% and raise the budget-neutrality threshold.