How AI is changing and challenging healthcare access 

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A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics found nearly on in five adolescents use chatbots for mental health advice.

Artificial intelligence is changing society and medicine.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics shows that approximately one out of every five adolescents are resorting to chatbots for mental health advice. The research also indicates most don’t tell anyone they are consulting AI. 

Novant Health therapist Jaren Doby said while the overall number of people using chatbots can be alarming, understanding why it’s being using it as well as listening to their concerns without judging is paramount. 

“First and foremost, we have to understand and recognize that this is the technology age,” he said. “AI is meeting a need. Young people can access these AI chatbots 24 hours a day. It’s free, it’s immediate and there is no fear of being judged in any way or ridiculed. Being available 24 hours, if a teenager is up in the summer at 2 o’clock in the morning, they can just open an app and start talking to that instantly. And another thing we’ve found is that many feel that it is easier than telling a parent, friend or even therapist about how they are feeling.”

While convenience is a pathway to using AI, Doby said there are limitations when it comes to getting real help to people.

“We have to remember that AI truly doesn’t understand human suffering,” he said. “Despite what you tell it, it cannot truly understand your history the way a human can. It doesn't recognize your body language and can’t always flush through all the trauma that you’ve been through, your family dynamics or even understand risk level the way a trained professional can. So, it is important to be very careful with those limitations. I don’t want to completely dump on it because I believe there are some benefits to AI, but it can put you in some hot water in relation to its lack of understanding of human suffering.” 

There are other benefits to AI, Doby said. 

“I honestly feel like AI can really help people organize their thoughts and learn coping skills, practice that self-reflection, and of course, being able to access that type of information immediately,” he said. “The studies also are showing that … 90%, if I’m not mistaken, of those young people in that age group find that advice somewhat or very helpful … within that realm of the coping skills and organizing those thoughts and practicing self-reflection.”

The JAMA findings also indicate that a higher percentage of females use AI as a means of mental health advice. 

“Women are usually more comfortable in being able to express their emotions,” Doby said. “It is why this is also a female-dominated industry. … Then just with that stereotype we see men aren’t truly able to be vulnerable the same way women are and address their true feelings that they are experiencing on a daily basis. That is not shocking to me, to be quite honest with you when it comes to the numbers pertaining to males versus females using AI.” 

To prevent AI from being the sole tool in mental health consultation, Doby said it is important to listen to young people and not dismiss their feelings. They feel more comfortable talking about their emotions if they are made to feel like their feelings matter. 

“First, we need to recognize the signs of someone’s mental health declining,” he said. “We often see changes before we hear about them. … It is important for folks to just be present, opening up and being like, ‘Look, I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately; how are you really doing?’ Assuring them that they don’t have to go through whatever it may be they are dealing with alone. The goal is to not have perfect words, but to create a safe space where someone feels comfortable being able to open up.”

Doby believes AI can be a good tool if used properly.

“When it comes to technology and things like that, it isn’t about fighting against it,” he said. “It’s about educating those that are around it about the proper uses of it. A misuse of anything is where we can fall into a dangerous spot. … Our responsibility is to make sure that the technology components don’t replace the human connection.” 

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