Increasing Numbers of Americans Utilize Technology, Including Mobile Apps and AI, for Health Monitoring

Americans are increasingly using technology for health decisions, driven by smartphone accessibility and advancements in AI, according to Rahul Ladhania, a Health Informatics professor at the University of Michigan. Tools now available allow users to track fitness metrics such as movement, heart rate, and sleep patterns. AI chatbots like ChatGPT help clarify medical terminology, but Ladhania warns about potential misinformation and cautions users against relying solely on these tools for health guidance. Instead, he emphasizes using technology as a supplement to traditional care, stressing the importance of consulting healthcare professionals for validation. This shift towards technology in health decision-making is partly due to barriers in accessing healthcare, making mobile apps and AI affordable alternatives. Hospitals are incorporating these tech tools to enhance patient care, while Ladhania believes that the human elements in clinician-patient relationships remain irreplaceable. Proceeding carefully with technology in sensitive health issues is crucial for effective outcomes.

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