Experts reveal why Australians use AI to self-diagnose

Australian pharmacies and GPs report rising numbers of patients seeking validation of AI chatbot diagnoses, with common queries involving children's symptoms and sleep issues. Experts warn AI cannot replace clinical examination or testing. Pharmacist Laura Rheinberger in Mudgee says parents and sleep sufferers frequently ask if AI-provided diagnoses are legitimate, noting AI cannot physically examine patients or order tests. Queensland GP Sidd Sarmah describes AI use as a "sugar hit" for convenience, citing a man whose AI diagnosis of a stomach bug was actually Crohn's disease. Dr Sarmah warns AI pattern recognition misses medical variations, potentially causing false reassurance or missed serious conditions. He stresses GPs remain best equipped to interpret health data, though he acknowledges AI use itself is not inherently harmful.