The widespread use of smartphones, the internet, social media, YouTube, and now Artificial Intelligence has created a new challenge for the medical profession. The thinking pattern of Gen Z is changing rapidly. For many young people today, the first response to any symptom is not to consult a doctor but to consult AI tools such as ChatGPT. While these platforms can provide useful information, they also have limitations and may create unnecessary anxiety.
A simple fever may generate a long list of differential diagnoses, including rare and serious diseases. Instead of reassurance, this can lead to fear, confusion, and health-related anxiety. The next step is often self-directed investigations, where patients order multiple laboratory tests based on their own interpretation of online information. Armed with a battery of test reports, these patients eventually arrive at the clinic—often…
