The Medical Advisor

Dr. Adam Rodman, an expert in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, confidently expected that chatbots built to use artificial intelligence would help doctors diagnose illnesses. He was wrong. Instead, in a study Dr. Rodman helped design, doctors who were given ChatGPT-4 along with conventional resources did only slightly better than doctors who did not have access to the bot. And, to the researchers’ surprise, ChatGPT alone outperformed the doctors. Created using ChatGPT “I was shocked,” Dr. Rodman said. The chatbot, from the company OpenAI, scored an average of 90 percent when diagnosing a medical condition from a case report and explaining its reasoning. Doctors randomly assigned to use the chatbot got an average score of 76 percent. Those randomly assigned not to use it had an average score of 74 percent. The study showed more than just the chatbot’s superior performance. It unveiled doctors’ sometimes unwavering belief in a diagnosis they made, even...

For months, Trampus Braaten was trapped in a cycle of dizziness, headaches, and anxiety. A sudden bout of vestibular neuritis—an inner ear condition—left him unable to drive, struggling to function, and desperate for answers. Even his wife, a doctor, couldn’t cut through the long waits, rushed appointments, and slow-moving referrals. For nearly three months, he saw his primary care doctor, but the visits were brief, and progress stalled. An MRI and neurology consult—both critical for his diagnosis—had to be scheduled within his doctor’s system, leading to further delays. Then, he switched to direct primary care (DPC). For $100 per month, he gained unlimited visits, 24/7 access to a doctor, and faster referrals. His new physician spent more than an hour with him on their first visit and personally followed up on his case. Within weeks, he had the scans and specialist appointments he had been waiting months for. For the first time, Braaten felt like someone was truly invested in his reco...

Abstract Growing life expectancy poses important societal challenges, placing an increasing burden on ever more strained health systems. The article "Harnessing digital health interventions to bridge the gap in prevention for older adults" by Kim Daniels and Bruno Bonnechère explores the potential of digital health technologies to enhance preventive care among the elderly. It highlights the significance of addressing age-related conditions such as falls, sarcopenia, and cognitive decline, which adversely affect the well-being and independence of older adults. The authors discuss how wearable sensors and mobile applications can facilitate real-time monitoring, personalized interventions, and remote support, thereby empowering older individuals to manage their health proactively. Additionally, the article examines the integration of frameworks like NASSS (Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, Sustainability) and WHO's People-Centered Health Service Strategies to effe...