Home » Using AI to understand health information safely

Using AI to understand health information safely


Artificial intelligence, often called AI, is now part of many websites, apps and search engines. Some people use AI tools to ask questions about symptoms, medicines, appointments, test results or caring responsibilities.

AI can be useful, but it has important limits. It should not replace advice from a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other health and social care professionals.

AI may help you:

  • understand medical words in simpler language
  • prepare questions for an appointment
  • summarise information you already have
  • organise your thoughts before speaking to a professional
  • learn general information about palliative care, symptoms or support


For example, you could ask:

“What questions should I ask the nurse about managing pain?”

“Can you explain this medical term in plain English?”

“What information should I write down before phoning the GP?”

AI is safest when it is used to help you prepare, not to make decisions.

AI tools are designed to be helpful. This means they may sometimes give answers that sound reassuring, confident or supportive, even when the answer is not fully correct.

AI can also appear to agree with the person asking the question. It may respond differently depending on how a question is worded.

For example, if you ask:

“Is this probably nothing to worry about?”

AI may give a reassuring answer.

If you ask:

“Could this be serious?”

AI may give a more worrying answer.

This does not mean either answer is correct. It means AI can be influenced by the wording of the question.

AI may also:

  • sound certain when it is unsure
  • give different answers to similar questions
  • provide too much reassurance
  • make a situation sound more serious than it is
  • miss important warning signs
  • give information that is too general for your situation


Because AI is designed to be helpful, it may not always challenge your assumptions or tell you clearly when you need advice from health and social care professionals.

Person-centred care is really important for supporting someone with toileting and continence. Keeping your loved one involved in their care helps them feel more in control. It is best to encourage your loved one to do as much as they can themselves to maintain independence if they are able. Some people may feel too embarrassed to ask for help, so make sure to always treat them with kindness and respect.

If the person has communication difficulties, they might not be able to say when they need the toilet and may become agitated or restless. Getting to know their non-verbal cues can help you recognise when they need support.

Respond quickly when they need to use the toilet. Give them enough time and privacy, whether using a toilet, bedpan, commode or something else.

Some people may need equipment to help with toileting, especially if they have pain, mobility issues or confusion. A GP, district nurse or specialist nurse can refer them to an occupational therapist, who can advise on aids like handrails, commodes or hoists. Loose, easy-to-remove clothing can also make things easier.

Here are some tips to help support your loved one:

  • Keep to a regular routine – e.g., after meals or every 2–3 hours.
  • Watch for signs they need the toilet – fidgeting, pulling at clothes, restlessness.
  • Use clear, simple language if they have memory problems.
  • Have spare clothes and wipes ready in case of accidents.
  • Use barrier creams to protect the skin if they wear pads or are bedbound.


It is important to keep an eye out for any skin changes or other changing symptoms such as mucus, blood in urine or stools, pain in lower back or UTI symptoms. You can read more about bowel and bladder incontinence here: Marie Curie – Continence care in Palliative Care

Think carefully before entering personal or sensitive information into an AI tool.

Avoid sharing:

  • full names
  • dates of birth
  • addresses
  • hospital or health and care numbers
  • detailed medical letters or records
  • names of family members or professionals
  • photographs of yourself or someone else


Try to keep questions general. For example, instead of entering a full clinic letter, you could ask:

“What does ‘breathlessness at rest’ mean?”

or

“What questions could a carer ask about managing pain at home?”

If you care for someone with palliative care needs, AI may help you prepare for a conversation with a healthcare professional.

For example, you could use AI to help turn your notes into a clear summary before you contact a GP, nurse, pharmacist, out-of-hours service or palliative care team.

It may help you organise information such as:

  • what has changed
  • when the change started
  • whether things are getting better, worse or staying the same
  • what you have already tried
  • what medicines the person has taken
  • what you are most worried about
  • what help or advice you need


This can make it easier to explain the situation clearly. AI should not be used to decide what care or treatment the person needs.

How to use AI more safely

If you choose to use AI to understand health information:

  • treat it as general information only
  • check important information with trusted sources or your healthcare team
  • remember that AI can be wrong, even when it sounds confident
  • be aware that AI may try to give a helpful-sounding answer, rather than the safest answer
  • use it to prepare questions, not to make medical decisions
  • contact a healthcare professional if symptoms are new, worsening or worrying


Remember

AI can help you understand general information and prepare for conversations.

However, AI can be wrong, overly reassuring or influenced by the way a question is asked.

It should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you are worried about symptoms, medicines or changes in someone’s condition, contact a healthcare professional. If it is an emergency, call 999 (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) or 112 (Republic of Ireland only).

Useful Links

Microsoft: Introduction to AI concepts

AbilityNet: What is AI and how do I use it?

Mayo Clinic: Can you trust AI for health advice?