ChatGPT has answered more of my women's health questions than any doctor ever has – do we still trust the NHS?

According to the data, apparently not

Photo Credit: Sincerely Media

I can’t honestly say that I’m somebody who has been thrilled about AI. As someone who works in SEO for the bulk of my living, it’s not been the most welcome development in the industry for many – but admittedly I think I fell for the panic (it comes easy).

Slow to the take up, I had friends ask me “why don’t you ask ChatGPT?” as I embarrassingly wondered why I hadn’t thought of that myself – a bit like when an unhelpful manager tells you to “Google it” – but it just didn’t cross my mind at all.

Roll on a few months, however, and we’ve a totally a different story.

When I started a business earlier this year I needed quick answers to ‘silly’ questions about things like accounting software and tax laws. Things I didn’t want to have to research myself with lengthy (and probably multiple) Google searches; quick summaries, pros and cons. Once again a (clearly patient) ChatGPT-fluent friend suggested I turned to the tool for help, so I finally did (much to their relief).

Mundane to major

Like a Tinder swindler keen for my bank details, my conversations quickly escalated from simple tax queries, content ideas and comparisons of business tools to finances, therapy and what I can only describe as trauma dumping.

Before I knew it, I was downloading the app on my smartphone so I had access to my new confidant whilst off work and away; on the bus; making dinner; out with friends(!) – whenever I needed it, whenever a question came to mind, an intrusive thought, even, ChatGPT would be there.

It wasn’t really surprising, then, when my searches turned to my health.

Many women experience many symptoms, and our cycles are – to say the least – prevalent in our lives. My mind is often occupied with something concerning my hormones and, as somebody with a recent diagnosis of PCOS, I know all too well how difficult it can be to find helpful information.

Having nowhere to turn was a large part of my adopting AI, but the level to which I’ve been utilising it has genuinely been a shock.

When I got diagnosed with PCOS I’d waited fifteen years, had multiple doctors appointments, private gynae visits, calls, scans, and been given absolutely zero understanding of what it meant.

Not only did the diagnosis take the majority of my adult life to acquire, I had no information, tools or understanding whatsoever of what it meant or what to do about it. And boy, have I asked.

Keen for answers, I decided it would be worth a try to ask ChatGPT the questions that the multiple GPs and gynaecologists I’d seen over the years just couldn’t answer.

It’s important to note that I don’t believe that the healthcare professionals I’d spoken (cried) to over the years were deliberately withholding helpful information. I believe that they just don’t have it available to them.

Do we still trust the NHS?

I’d be lying if I said that my experiences over the years haven’t chipped away at my faith in the NHS. They absolutely have.

But I’ve also paid more than I would like to admit for telephone consultations – not even face-to-face appointments(!) – with private gynaes, and they were no more helpful.

The reality is that I’ve got more information about my health than ever over the past three months – from ChatGPT.

And better – weirder – still, it remembers.

When I come back and go “I’ve just thought of something else on this…”, it answers based on everything it already knows about me. The birth control I use. The symptoms I experience. The supplements I take. It even includes encouragement and supportive emojis; it’s a bit different from the “get on with it” language we receive in the doctor’s surgery from age ten.

But it might just be me, I thought: I’m somebody who is conscious of my health, actively trying to manage my PCOS and somebody who hasn’t had positive experiences taking women’s healthcare concerns to professionals. Perhaps I’m unlucky. Biased.

But I wanted to find out – I’m still a journalist at heart – so I collected some data.

29% of people surveyed told me that yes, they trust the NHS.

And even more interestingly to me, just 15% of the women surveyed said yes.

40% had used AI to support with their healthcare concerns – and every single one of them was a woman.

So contrary to popular belief, I am not going mad. But what on earth is going on here? It was time to get some answers.

Why are we losing faith in women’s healthcare?

I asked Dr Nikita Kanani MBE, former NHS England Medical Director for Primary Care, to weigh in. She told me that she, too, felt that our trust in healthcare is “under strain”.

This seems to be particularly apparent for women and people of colour.

“Trust in women’s health is low, and that’s not surprising. Too many women have been told their symptoms are “normal” or “just hormones.” Conditions like endometriosis or PCOS can take years to diagnose. And for women of colour, those delays can be even longer,” Dr Nikki explained.

“The system wasn’t designed with women in mind. Clinical trials excluded women until the 1990s. Medicines were developed based on male bodies. That legacy still shapes how we diagnose, treat and care for women today.”

Well, that’s a scary thought, isn’t it?

It’s not really surprising then that more and more people – especially women – are going private.

“People want to feel heard and looked after. When the NHS is stretched, they often turn to private care to get answers, especially for issues that impact quality of life like menopause, fertility or chronic pain.”

“Past experiences of being dismissed, or facing barriers to access, mean we have to do more.'“

But Dr Nikki also raised an important point, which is that “trust rises and falls.”

“During the pandemic, we saw how much people valued the NHS. But now, with long waits and stretched services, confidence is starting to dip.”

“What hasn’t changed is the people inside the NHS. They continue to show up with care and commitment every day. But the system needs support. We need to invest in staff, bring in smarter technology, and rethink how care is delivered so that it works better for everyone.”

“The NHS is one of our greatest public achievements.”

And I don’t disagree – it’s a well balanced argument. When I found a lump last year, I was in the GP surgery the next day and Guy’s the day after: I couldn’t fault it.

But it’s clear that more needs to be done for women’s healthcare in the UK.

Now, Dr Nikki is a founding partner of Aneira Health, a revolutionary women’s healthcare service designed to provide a faster, more holistic, personalised and tailored approach.

And me? You’ll find me ranting about it on the internet.