ChatGPT and similar programs respond to the input a person gives them. The more detailed and specific the input, the more helpful the response is likely to be.
When using ChatGPT to find health information, try to:
Be specific
Ask clear and precise questions. Try to phrase the questions as simply as possible.
- Instead of: What is causing my sore leg?
- Try: What is causing the burning pain in my lower leg? It is worse after exercise.
Add context
Provide extra details that might help the chatbot give an accurate answer.
- Instead of: What is my risk of prostate cancer?
- Try: I am male, 43 years old, with no family history of prostate cancer. What is my risk of prostate cancer?
Adjust the tone
ChatGPT often gives responses in formal language, which is difficult to understand. After asking a question, people can ask it to answer in simple language.
- Instead of: How can I prevent Achilles tendinitis from getting worse?
- Try: How can I prevent Achilles tendinitis from getting worse? Explain in a simple way that a 10-year-old can understand.
Define the type of response
If a person wants a certain response from ChatGPT, they can ask for it.
- Instead of: Which foods should I eat to improve my gut microbiome?
- Try: Give me a list of 10 foods that can improve my gut microbiome. Give me two recipes for each food.
Ask for reputable sources
To ensure ChatGPT formulates its answer from trustworthy sources, a person can ask it to use sources from leading institutions or
Ask follow-up questions
If a part of ChatGPT’s answer is unclear, ask follow-up questions or ask it to clarify certain points.