Intelligent Health.tech Issue 19 | Page 31

D I S S E C T I N G B U S I N E S S in younger people is very weak . ChatGPT doesn ' t mention that melatonin is only available without prescription in some countries , but it does give sound advice of ‘ Before starting any new sleep aid or supplement regimen , your friend must consult with a healthcare provider , such as a doctor or a pharmacist .’”
Lean on experts for prioritising
Dr Bostock highlights the platform ' s suggestion to share personal information for tailored advice , contradicting basic online safety principles . Despite efforts to tailor responses , the absence of nuanced understanding persists , exemplified by its ranking of insomnia treatments .
“ You may be able to improve the accuracy of ChatGPT advice by telling it more about you and your circumstances . Of course , the advice will be generic unless you can provide personalised information . To avoid sharing sensitive information with the programme , you could ask for advice for a friend . For example , ‘ My friend is a 70-year-old woman . How much sleep does she need ?’ This generates a sensible answer , which includes that there is a lot of natural variation in how much sleep we need .
If you use the word ' insomnia ' this triggers the recommendation to try CBT-I , Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia , albeit it is listed as number 10 on a list . I would personally want to emphasise that CBT-I , the number one recommended approach for treating chronic insomnia , according to medical guidelines .”
Take AI ’ s advice with caution
While not dismissing ChatGPT outright , Dr Bostock advocates for cautious engagement , particularly in matters as nuanced as sleep . Emphasising the need for a holistic approach , she underlines the importance of integrating AI insights with professional expertise , “ Overall I think ChatGPT can be a helpful source of sleep information . It is limited by the absence of explicit sources or references , and the fact that the data may be out of date . It cannot deliver advice which is tailored to your individual experiences , lifestyle , health , medical history and circumstances – for that you need to speak to a qualified healthcare professional .”
As AI continues to permeate daily life , discernment remains paramount . In the quest for sound sleep , harnessing technology alongside human wisdom promises a wellrounded approach , ensuring restful nights are not left to chance . �
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