While therapy has long been an established method for individuals to discuss their feelings and worries, the traditional setting of face-to-face sessions might seem daunting to some.
A recent study conducted by Tebra, a platform for independent healthcare practitioners, delved into the sentiments of 1,000 Americans and several healthcare professionals about the use of AI in the health sector.
Remarkably, the findings indicated that 25% of the participants would opt for an AI chatbot conversation over a session with a human therapist.
When participants used ChatGPT for guidance, a substantial 80% believed it to be a viable alternative to conventional therapy, as per the study’s data.
The concept of online disinhibition could be behind this trend. It’s the ease and courage people find in expressing themselves online, something they might hesitate to do face-to-face. This could explain the growing preference for AI interactions.
The anonymity and comfort of knowing that there’s no human on the other side might play a role in breaking down barriers people may typically face.
Furthermore, the study shed light on the fact that AI isn’t just sought for emotional support. A notable 5% of respondents have used ChatGPT for medical diagnoses and have followed its suggestions. Impressively, 90% of this group considered the AI’s advice effective.
As trust in AI technologies increases, we can anticipate a surge in AI-driven solutions in healthcare.