[el_benhameen]

I don’t disagree that you should use your doctor as your primary source for medical decision making, but I also think this is kind of an unrealistic take. I should also say that I’m not an AI hype bro. I think we’re a long ways off from true functional AGI and robot doctors.

I have good insurance and have a primary care doctor with whom I have good rapport. But I can’t talk to her every time I have a medical question—it can take weeks to just get a phone call! If I manage to get an appointment, it’s a 15 minute slot, and I have to try to remember all of the relevant info as we speed through possible diagnoses.

Using an llm not for diagnosis but to shape my knowledge means that my questions are better and more pointed, and I have a baseline understanding of the terminology. They’ll steer you wrong on the fine points, but they’ll also steer you _right_ on the general stuff in a way that Dr. Google doesn’t.

One other anecdote. My daughter went to the ER earlier this year with some concerning symptoms. The first panel of doctors dismissed it as normal childhood stuff and sent her home. It took 24 hours, a second visit, and an ambulance ride to a children’s hospital to get to the real cause. Meanwhile, I gave a comprehensive description of her symptoms and history to an llm to try to get a handle on what I should be asking the doctors, and it gave me some possible diagnoses—including a very rare one that turned out to be the cause. (Kid is doing great now). I’m still gonna take my kids to the doctor when they’re sick, of course, but I’m also going to use whatever tools I can to get a better sense of how to manage our health and how to interact with the medical system.

[parpfish]

I always thought “ask your doctor” was included for liability reasons and not a thing that people actually could do.

I also have good insurance and a PCP. The idea that I could call them up just to ask “should I start doing this new exercise” or “how much aspirin for this sprained ankle?” is completely divorced from reality.

[el_benhameen]

Yes, exactly this. I am an anxious, detail-focused person. I could call or message for every health-related question that comes to mind, but that would not be a good use of anyone’s time. My doctor is great, but she does not care about the minutiae of my health like I do, nor do I expect her to.

[rkomorn]

I think "ask your doctor" is for prescription meds since only said doctor can write prescriptions.

And "your doctor" is actually "any doctor that is willing to write you a prescription for our medicine".

[parpfish]

"ask your doctor" is more widespread than tthat. if you look up any diet or exercise advice, there's always an "ask your doctor before starting any new exercise program".

i'm not going to call my doctor to ask "is it okay if I try doing kettlebell squats?"

[rkomorn]

Yes, I totally got out of context and said something a bit senseless.

But also, maybe calling your doctor would be wise (eg if you have back problems) before you start doing kettlebell squats.

I'd say that the audience for a lot of health related content skews towards people who should probably be seeing a doctor anyway.

The cynic in me also thinks some of the "ask your doctor" statements are just slapped on to artificially give credence to whatever the article is talking about (eg "this is serious exercise/diet/etc).

Edit: I guess what I meant is: I don't think it's just "liability", but genuine advice/best practice/wisdom for a sizable chunk of audiences.

[easyThrowaway]

I am constantly terrified by the American healthcare system.

That's exactly what I (and most people I know) routinely do both in Italy and France. Like, "when in doubt, call the doc". I wouldn't know where to start if I had to handle this kind of stuff exclusively by myself.

[dncornholio]

I can e-mail my doctor and have a response within 2 days. He is not working alone, but has multiple assistants working. This is a normal doctors office that everyone is required to have in the Netherlands.

E-mails and communication is completely free of charge.

We all know that Google and LLM's are not the answer for your medical questions but that they cause fear and stress instead.

[lurking_swe]

I live in the U.S. and my doctor is very responsive on MyChart. A few times a year i’ll send a message and I almost always get a reply within a day! From my PCP directly, or from her assistant.

I’d encourage you to find another doctor.

[el_benhameen]

My doctor is usually pretty good at responding to messages too, but there’s still a difference between a high-certainty/high-latency reply and a medium-certainty/low-latency reply. With the llm I can ask quick follow ups or provide clarification in a way that allows me to narrow in on a solution without feeling like I’m wasting someone else’s time. But yes, if it’s bleeding, hurting, or growing, I’m definitely going to the real person.

[dncornholio]

You are NOT wasting someone else's time, they get paid to do just that, answer questions.. Plus it's your fucking health dude

[shrx]

> it can take weeks to just get a phone call

> If I manage to get an appointment, it’s a 15 minute slot

I'm sorry that this is what "good insurance" gets you.

[lurking_swe]

no, that’s what happens when you pick a busy doctor or a practice that’s overbooked in general. All too common these days! :(

This probably varies by locale. For example my doctor responds within 1 day on MyChart for quick questions. I can set up an in person or video appointment with her within a week, easily booked on MyChart as well.