AI systems like ChatGPT, based on models such as GPT-4, have been tested to answer common questions about skin diseases. Several studies from universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, University of Connecticut, Temple University, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai looked into how accurate and helpful AI answers are. They focused on questions about acne, eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), hair loss, psoriasis, rosacea, and skin cancer.
One study checked 93 AI responses to 31 patient questions about skin problems. Three certified dermatologists gave their opinion on whether the AI answers were good or bad. The study found that 88% of the AI’s answers were helpful for patients and medical use. For acne, rosacea, and skin cancer, ChatGPT gave all appropriate answers. But for harder cases like eczema, hair loss, and psoriasis, the correct answer rates were 75%, 77%, and 83% respectively.
This shows that AI has a harder time with complicated skin issues. For example, AI said alopecia areata was the most common kind of hair loss, leaving out other causes. Experts agreed this was a wrong answer. This mistake shows how AI might spread wrong facts if not checked carefully.
Many patients now use online tools and AI chatbots before or after they visit doctors. Clinic managers and healthcare leaders should know that AI can change what patients know and expect. AI can give mostly correct advice about skin health and help more people access medical information, but it has clear limits.
Research from the Icahn School of Medicine showed that AI also helps teach doctors about side effects from cancer drugs that affect the skin. But AI’s language is often too difficult for most patients. For example, ChatGPT’s answers were at a college reading level. Scores measuring ease of reading were low, meaning many patients might not understand the AI’s explanations fully.
Also, some important details were missed. AI did not properly show the seriousness of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare but dangerous skin reaction to cancer medicines. It suggested temporarily stopping the medicine, but the right solution is to stop it permanently. This shows why AI answers should be checked by medical professionals and should not replace doctor advice.
AI tools learn from large sets of data found online. Some of this data can be old or wrong. This can make AI give mixed or wrong answers at times. Studies found that AI sometimes gave different answers to the same question, especially on topics where medical experts do not fully agree. These topics include diet and skin health, natural remedies, anti-aging, and wound care.
The main limits of AI include:
These problems can cause wrong ideas among patients unless doctors watch over AI use. Involving dermatologists in making and checking AI tools is important to lower mistakes and keep patients safe.
Clinic leaders and medical administrators in the US should plan carefully when adding AI to patient education. AI can help but should be extra support, not a replacement for doctors or specialists.
AI is also useful for helping with office work in clinics. It can handle phone calls and answer common patient requests. For example, Simbo AI offers systems that automate calls and help clinics manage many calls while keeping patients engaged and satisfied.
This type of automation can:
Still, it is very important that AI answers stay correct and do not cause wrong ideas when helping with medical questions. Simbo AI and similar services must work with health experts to make sure their information is right. This builds trust and follows US healthcare laws.
IT managers should look at AI tools for strong technology and also check they meet privacy rules like HIPAA. Patient data security must be kept carefully.
AI helps not only with office work and patient education but can also improve communication between doctors and patients. Research from Mount Sinai shows AI helps cancer and skin doctors keep up with new info about skin side effects from cancer treatment. AI can give doctors current facts on skin problems, how to prevent them, and ways to treat them.
For patients, AI can quickly explain skin problems that happen during chemotherapy, like dry skin, rashes, and hair loss. This can help patients follow treatment and report problems early. But because AI language is hard, information should be made easier to read for different patients in US clinics.
Skin clinics can use AI to teach patients first before appointments. This can reduce some visits and help patients get ready. But doctors must still check the info, answer hard questions, and deal with serious conditions fast.
In the US, where healthcare quality and patient satisfaction are carefully tracked, using AI in dermatology needs careful thought. AI can answer many common skin questions correctly, especially about common problems like acne and rosacea. But it is not as good with complex or new skin and cancer treatment issues.
Medical leaders and clinic owners should include AI with good safety steps and doctor involvement. Automating office tasks with AI can help too. When AI systems like Simbo AI work together with experts and get checked often, they can improve how patients get information and how clinics run.
Knowing both the good and weak points of AI will help healthcare organizations add technology that supports doctors and office work well. This can improve patient care and clinic operations in skin health services across the US.
Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. Factors contributing to acne include hormones, excess sebum production, bacteria, inflammation, diet, and stress. Severity and triggers vary greatly among individuals, often involving a combination of these factors.
Many children with eczema tend to see improvement as they grow, sometimes outgrowing the condition by teenage years or early adulthood. However, some continue experiencing symptoms or recurrent flare-ups into adulthood. Management and monitoring by a healthcare professional are essential.
Alopecia, or hair loss, has various causes including genetics, autoimmune disorders, hormones, and stress. Treatments include topical agents, oral medications, injections, light therapy, lifestyle changes, and alternatives. Effectiveness depends on the underlying cause, so professional evaluation is important.
ChatGPT generated primarily appropriate answers (88%), but some responses were inaccurate or incomplete, especially for complex or controversial topics. It showed strength in acne, rosacea, and skin cancer queries but was inconsistent in eczema, psoriasis, and alopecia responses.
ChatGPT provides mostly relevant and accurate information but may include biased or inaccurate content and sometimes fails to acknowledge areas lacking consensus, so it should be considered supplementary, not a replacement for professional advice.
Limitations include occasional inaccuracies, incompleteness, lack of evidence-based citations, and defaulting to providing answers rather than admitting when no conclusive information exists, potentially perpetuating misinformation.
Three experienced dermatologists independently assessed 93 responses to 31 questions, rating answers as ‘appropriate’ or ‘inappropriate’ based on accuracy and public comprehension, with majority agreement determining the final categorization.
ChatGPT sometimes gave varying answers in completeness and accuracy to identical questions, notably on natural treatments, which raises concerns about response reliability and consistency.
Questions addressed six common conditions: acne, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, psoriasis, rosacea, skin cancer, plus a miscellaneous category, totaling 31 questions across these groups.
AI tools like ChatGPT show promise but must be improved with evidence-based training data. Dermatologists should be involved in development, remain aware of AI responses patients receive, and emphasize AI as a supplementary tool, not a substitute for medical consultation.