Parents trust AI for medical advice more than doctors, researchers find

A recent study by the University of Kansas Life Span Institute reveals that parents increasingly trust AI, particularly ChatGPT, over human doctors for medical advice on their children’s health. This research, published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, surveyed over 100 parents who evaluated health-related text from both human doctors and ChatGPT. The findings showed that AI responses rated higher in trustworthiness and accuracy, leading participants to feel more inclined to rely on the AI-generated information.

The lead researcher, Calissa Leslie-Miller, expressed concern that parents’ reliance on AI may grow without sufficient expert oversight, particularly in high-stakes areas like children's health. The study highlights the lack of perceived difference in expertise, morality, or trustworthiness between ChatGPT and healthcare professionals, although ChatGPT often scored better in accuracy and credibility.

Harvey Castro, MD, an ER physician and AI expert, commented on the study, emphasizing that while AI offers convenience and immediate information, it cannot replace the insights of a trained pediatrician who can consider a child's unique health history and subtle symptoms. He advocates a balanced approach, combining AI’s efficiency with human expertise for safer, more personalized care.

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My advice for parents

As an emergency physician, I understand why a fast, confident answer at 2 a.m. feels reassuring. The problem is that confidence and accuracy are not the same thing, and a chatbot does not know your child's history, weight, medicines or how they looked an hour ago.

Here is how I suggest parents use AI safely:

• Use it to prepare, not to decide. Ask it to help you write down symptoms, timing and questions before you call the pediatrician.
• Never use it for dosing. Medicine doses for children depend on weight and the specific product. Follow the label or ask a pharmacist.
• Know the red flags. Trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a seizure, a baby under three months with a fever, or a child who is hard to wake needs care now, not a chatbot.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to use ChatGPT for my child's health questions?

It can help you organize questions, but it should not replace your pediatrician's advice, especially for dosing or urgent symptoms.

When should I skip AI and get care?

If your child looks very sick, is struggling to breathe or you are worried, call your doctor or 911 instead of asking a chatbot.

Educational content only, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.

Trust in medical AI is exactly the problem DR GPT™ works on. Meet DR GPT™.