Chatbots

Written By Sebastián Prida

Chatbots triage, educate, and support.

Health chatbots use AI to assess symptoms, answer questions, and provide emotional support. Originally scaled during the pandemic, they’re now key players in triage and routine patient interactions. They reduce pressure on clinicians and enhance access, especially in virtual care models.

Pros and Cons Table

Chatbots rely on Natural Language Processing to interpret user input and deliver tailored responses or next steps—ranging from symptom checks to appointment scheduling. To use them in care pathways, define safe boundaries, integrate escalation to clinicians, and monitor performance. Start with FAQ support or pre-visit triage. For broader success, include clinical validation, testing, empathy design, and multi-language capabilities.

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Pros Cons
Available 24/7 for basic guidance Limited to non-emergency use cases
Frees up clinicians for complex tasks Lack empathy or nuance
Reduces wait times and improves access Risk of misinformation if not monitored
Scalable across large populations Needs regular updates and oversight
Useful for mental health and education Trust and adoption may vary by patient group