Saying AI is worse than a doctor is batshit bonkers
When an encounter with a bat leads a patient fearing rabies, Copperfield finds that AI is more UKHSA guideline-compliant than a GP
Apparently, using AI for medical advice is dangerous.
No way?! Incredibly, this news story coincided with a recent N=1 trial I did, which involved a consult-off between me and AI.
It started with this triage request (which I swear is genuine): ‘A bat flew into my bedroom last night. Do I need a rabies vaccination?’
Naturally, this led to a phone call with an actual live GP, aka me, which I summarise below:
Dr TC: Tell me all about it.
Patient: A bat flew into my room in the middle of the night and got caught in the net curtain. I killed it with a slipper, but I’m worried I might need a rabies vaccination.
Dr TC: Are you aware that bats are a protected species?
Patient: Not in my house, they’re not.
Dr TC: That’s assault and, er, battery. Did you call an ambulance?
Patient: No, I didn’t need one.
Dr TC: I meant for the bat.
Patient: You what? No, I didn’t.
Dr TC: Or a Batmobile?
Patient: Doctor, I don’t think you’re taking me seriously. It’s really shaken me up and I feel all dizzy. I think I might need tests.
Dr TC: Like a bat-scan?
Patient hangs up.
Which was when I reflected on the consultation and thought I should get a second opinion from what is currently my go-to source of medical conundrum busting, ChatGPT. And I quickly learned that, while the risk of rabies in the UK is negligible, our bats can carry European Bat Lyssavirus, and UKHSA guidance states this requires urgent risk assessment involving a detailed history, examination and, potentially, PEP, depending on UKHSA Rabies and Immunoglobulin service advice, and that, to prevent problems in future, she should avoid handling bats.
Holy batshit, batman!
So, being caring and diligent, I phone her back. ‘Really sorry,’ I explain, ‘But I’ve sought expert guidance about your recent incident, and I need to give you some further advice. Specifically, that to avoid further problems, you should avoid handling bats.’
‘That’s very helpful doctor,’ she says.
‘No problem, it’s right here on BatGPT.’
I do have a feeling that, in future, she’ll choose AI over TC. Assuming she survives.
Dr Tony Copperfield is a GP in Essex
Have you got a view you want to share with Pulse?
We’re always open to first-hand pieces and opinions from GPs.
Email your piece for consideration to be published on our site.
Related Articles
READERS' COMMENTS [6]
Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles
I think C&M ICB have uploaded their whole formulary into Medwise AI so I’ve been pointing the patients there.
Patient: Doctor, doctor, a bat just flew into my bedroom..
Dr TC: Oh dear, did you want it to fly into your bathroom? 😐
Doctor, Doctor, there’s a blind chicken in our kitchen listening to the radio.
Which station should I tune it to?
Used to work with a Spanish SHO. Bat flew in to his on call room. Was recounting story to nurse who was in Bat protection society, she offered to catch, identify and release. He says – it flew out window…
Later in the mess, he confessed to me that he had vacuumed it into the hoover using the wand attachment…..
Patient: No…but I think I’ve killed it. What do I do?
Dr TC: Ring Ozzie, he’ll finish it off for you…
had a pregnant patient once who wanted advice coz she had arrived at work and found mouse droppings on her desk….I advised her not to consume them…..