Using AI in patient communication can improve understanding, adherence and overall patient care.
As healthcare professionals, you know that clear communication directly impacts patient outcomes.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT in healthcare tasks creates exciting possibilities for everything from patient education and medical documentation, yet many health professionals are unsure where to start.
Understand patient needs before using AI in communication
Before diving into AI tools, it’s essential to clarify what you aim to achieve by using AI in patient communication.
Consider those moments in your practice when patients misunderstand medication instructions or return with preventable complications due to unclear care plans.
Here’s a practical prompt to help identify your communication priorities:
“Help me identify common communication challenges in [your specialty] regarding:
- Treatment adherence barriers
- Frequently misunderstood instructions
- Common patient concerns and anxieties
- Cultural considerations affecting care”
By starting with your patients’ needs, you can leverage AI to address these specific communication challenges.
Practical applications of AI for better patient communication
AI healthcare tools can assist with many everyday tasks, from patient notes to simplifying medical terms. Here are a few proven prompts to address common scenarios:
1. Explaining treatments to patients
Prompt:
“Help me explain [procedure/treatment] to patients with different health literacy levels. Include analogies, step-by-step instructions and common questions.”
2. Creating follow-Up care plans
Prompt:
“Create a structured template for post-[procedure] care instructions that includes:
- Recovery milestones
- Warning signs
- Lifestyle modifications
- Follow-up schedule”
These AI-generated materials can enhance patient understanding while saving time for clinicians.
Creative ways to use AI for patient engagement
Beyond documentation, AI shows promise in crafting engaging patient education materials.
Chronic condition management
Prompt:
“Design a patient journey map for newly diagnosed [condition] patients covering their first three months. Include:
- Key milestones and challenges
- Self-monitoring guidance
- Lifestyle adaptation tips
- Success indicators”
Culturally sensitive materials
Prompt:
“Suggest ways to explain [condition/treatment] while considering:
- Cultural beliefs about health
- Family involvement in care
- Traditional medicine interactions
- Language and terminology preferences”
These prompts can help you create materials that resonate with your patients, improving engagement and adherence.
How to make AI work for patient care
To successfully implement AI, start small and focus on one specific communication challenge in your practice. For example:
Better after-visit summaries
Prompt:
“Help me create a patient-friendly visit summary template that:
- Uses clear, accessible language
- Highlights key action items
- Includes visual cues or icons
- Promotes understanding and adherence”
Important reminder
Remember, AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, your clinical expertise. Always review and verify AI-generated content to ensure it aligns with your professional knowledge and your patients’ needs.
Enhancing patient communication with AI: What’s next?
As healthcare evolves, AI tools in healthcare provide exciting opportunities to simplify complex medical information and streamline your clinical workflow.
By starting with clear objectives, focusing on practical applications and maintaining professional oversight, you can use AI to create more effective, engaging and accessible patient communications.
Be sure to learn about responsible use of AI in healthcare, potential for bias and risk of AI hallucinations in any generated content.
Ready to enhance your skills further? Explore our CPD activities, designed specifically for healthcare professionals looking to integrate AI into their practice and improve patient care.
