ChatGPT Health: Helping Patients or Raising Concerns?
22 Jan 2026
Launched earlier this month, ChatGPT Health aims to give patients more control over their health. It can provide advice on diet, exercise, and interpreting medical information. OpenAI says more than 230 million people are already using ChatGPT each week to ask health and wellness questions, which led to the launch of this health-focused version.
GPs Cautious About AI
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright likens ChatGPT Health to patients using “Dr Google”. He warns that while these tools can be helpful, they can also give information that is irrelevant or even alarming.
“GPs can prepare for patients using these tools, and we may be able to guide results to make them more useful,” Dr Wright told newsGP. “Education and collaboration are key – it’s about helping patients understand their health conditions.”
He adds that ChatGPT Health has the same limitations as regular ChatGPT and needs careful oversight to ensure information is appropriate for each patient.
Designed to Support, Not Replace Doctors
ChatGPT Health says it was developed in close consultation with doctors to support, not replace, clinical care. It claims to follow strict security and privacy standards and uses patient data to help people prepare for appointments and understand patterns over time.
However, some experts remain cautious. Dr David Adam, from the RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management, says AI cannot replace the human connection in healthcare.
“They are spending a lot of money to mimic human conversation, but it can’t replace real interactions between patients and doctors,” he told newsGP.
Dr Adam also advises GPs to expect patients to arrive either well-informed or confused by AI-generated information.
Balancing Innovation and Safety
The RACGP recognises the potential of AI in general practice but says risks must be managed. Its position statement calls for GPs to be involved in developing and using AI tools to ensure they are safe, effective, and fit-for-purpose.
Dr Wright says AI tools like ChatGPT Health are here to stay. “These tools can help us educate our patients, but they will never replace real doctors.”
Source: RACGP, OpenAI, newsGP
