Episode Summary
This episode presents original research examining how artificial intelligence-generated health information impacts doctor–patient communication in Georgian outpatient clinical settings. The study employs a convergent mixed-methods design combining quantitative survey data from patients and physicians with qualitative physician interviews to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of AI-informed patients in routine medical practice. Findings reveal that AI tools significantly influence the informational environment of clinical encounters, requiring physicians to address variable accuracy in AI-generated health information and communication gaps arising from patient non-disclosure.
Key Topics Discussed
- AI-driven digital health tools and symptom checkers in clinical practice—examining how algorithm-based platforms shape patient health literacy and pre-consultation preparation
- Mixed-methods research design—combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess complex healthcare technology adoption in outpatient settings
- Doctor–patient communication dynamics—exploring how AI-informed patients influence consultation time requirements and clinical decision-making processes
- Health information accuracy and clinical interpretation—addressing variable quality in AI-generated health information and physician gatekeeping responsibilities
- Patient disclosure patterns—investigating why patients frequently withhold information about AI tool usage from healthcare providers
- Physician role transformation—analyzing how clinical practice is being redefined by the evolving informational environment in healthcare encounters
Key Takeaways
- A substantial proportion of patients utilize AI-based health information prior to medical consultations, representing a significant shift in pre-consultation patient behavior
- Communication gaps emerge when patients do not disclose their use of AI tools, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy and clinical outcomes
- AI-informed consultations frequently require additional physician time for professional interpretation and clarification of algorithm-generated information
- Physicians must develop competencies in evaluating AI-generated health content to maintain clinical authority and provide appropriate guidance
- The integration of AI into patient health information-seeking behaviors necessitates updated clinical communication strategies and patient engagement approaches
About This Episode
This research addresses a critical intersection of clinical medicine, health technology, and patient engagement in contemporary medical practice. As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how patients access and interpret health information, understanding these dynamics is essential for healthcare providers, health systems, and policymakers. This Georgian study provides valuable evidence-based insights into how AI technologies are transforming the informational landscape of outpatient care, with implications for clinical practice standards, physician training, and health communication strategies globally. The findings underscore the importance of integrating digital health literacy into clinical encounters and developing institutional frameworks for managing AI-informed patient care.
In this episode of the GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal — we present a newly published original research article examining the impact of artificial intelligence–generated health information on doctor–patient communication in outpatient clinical settings in Georgia.
The study investigates how the growing use of AI-driven digital health tools is influencing clinical encounters. Patients increasingly attend consultations after interacting with AI systems, symptom checkers, and other algorithm-based platforms, introducing new dynamics into communication between patients and physicians.
Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the research combines quantitative survey data from patients and physicians with qualitative insights from physician interviews. The findings demonstrate that a substantial proportion of patients use AI-based health information prior to consultations, while physicians frequently encounter AI-informed patients in routine practice.
The study highlights that AI-generated information is variable in accuracy and often requires professional interpretation. Consultations involving AI-informed patients may require additional time, and many patients do not disclose their use of AI tools, creating communication gaps.
These findings suggest that artificial intelligence is reshaping the informational environment of clinical care and redefining the role of the physician.
Read the article
https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/article/view/21
PDF version
https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/article/view/21/10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19057370
Citation:Artificial Intelligence–Informed Patients and the Transformation of Doctor–Patient Communication: Evidence from a Mixed-Methods Study in Georgian Outpatient Clinics. Georgian Medical Journal. 2026.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19057370