Ask AI about a health question, then tell your doctor what it said
Retired lawyer Orrin Onken, writing in his 70s for Business Insider, says he often asks Claude about symptoms and health questions as a first stop, then tells his human doctors what the chatbot said. So far, he writes, their reactions have been "bemused but appreciative."
What they did
He uses Claude (and also keeps ChatGPT, Gemini, and NotebookLM handy) for everyday questions, including health. He treats the answers as a starting point, double-checks anything mission-critical, and brings the chatbot's suggestions into his real appointments.
How it went
He finds Claude's "availability and bedside manner" comforting—no appointments, no impatience—even when accuracy varies. "If Claude advises me to check with my human doctors, I do it," he writes. "The first thing I tell them is what Claude said."
Worth knowing
AI is not a doctor. It can miss red flags, invent causes, or give outdated advice. Do not use it to diagnose, change medications, or skip emergency care. Keep personal identifiers and full medical records out of the chat when you can. Confirm everything with a clinician who knows you.
Try it yourself
Copy this into Claude (or any AI assistant). Replace the parts in [brackets] with your own details.
I'm going to describe symptoms in general terms only—no full name, birth date, or medical record numbers. Explain possible common causes in plain English, what would make this urgent enough to seek care right away, and three clear questions I could ask my doctor. Remind me that you are not a medical professional and that I should confirm with my clinician.
Source: Orrin Onken, Business Insider, Aug 9, 2025. Read the original →
First-hand account by the person who did it. Summarized in our own words. Spotted a mistake or want this removed? Tell us.