AI in healthcare: how OpenAI is transforming medical care

#openai #ai #data #machinelearning

Introduction
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being adopted in highly regulated industries, and healthcare is a clear example of how this technology can improve processes, access to information, and the quality of care.
According to OpenAI’s latest product announcements, more than 230 million people worldwide use ChatGPT every week to ask questions related to health and wellbeing. This growing adoption reflects a broader shift in how individuals and professionals seek medical information and support.

Healthcare systems face significant challenges: clinical staff are often overwhelmed, medical knowledge is highly fragmented, and administrative complexity continues to grow. AI is beginning to address these issues by supporting decision-making, reducing operational burdens, and making medical information more accessible.

This month, OpenAI introduced new healthcare-focused capabilities designed to support both medical professionals and patients. These services aim to bring trusted information and care-related workflows closer to people, while prioritizing security, compliance, and responsible use in one of the most sensitive and regulated industries.

OpenAI for Healthcare: Operationalizing AI in Healthcare Organizations

OpenAI for Healthcare is specifically designed for healthcare organizations such as hospitals, research centers, clinic networks, and integrated health systems. Its primary goal is to provide a secure, enterprise-grade platform that enables these institutions to deliver more consistent, high-quality care, while reducing the administrative burden that consumes a significant amount of clinicians’ time.

One of the platform’s most distinctive capabilities is its evidence retrieval with clear citations. Responses are grounded in trusted medical sources, including millions of peer-reviewed studies, public health guidelines, and up-to-date clinical directives. This allows healthcare professionals to verify information more easily and support clinical decisions with reliable, evidence-based insights.

Another particularly valuable feature is the use of reusable templates to streamline workflows. These shared templates support common tasks such as drafting discharge summaries, patient instructions, clinical letters, and prior authorization requests. As a result, clinical teams spend less time rewriting repetitive documentation and searching for information, while patients benefit from clearer guidance and smoother transitions of care.

image source: https://openai.com/es-419/index/openai-for-healthcare/

Below is an overview of the main capabilities offered by this solution.

ChatGPT Health: A Smarter Way to Understand Your Health

ChatGPT Health is designed for individual users who want to better understand their own health and navigate a complex healthcare system. Health is already one of the most popular topics on ChatGPT, because every week, users ask questions about health and wellbeing.

Users can securely connect personal health data from multiple sources, including electronic health records and wellness apps. They can also upload their own documents or images, such as lab results or medical reports. This centralization allows ChatGPT Health to provide more relevant, personalized responses, helping users interpret information, summarize results, and prepare for appointments.

The tool is designed for practical, everyday use. It can help users review lab results, prepare questions for medical visits, provide guidance on diet, exercise, or wellness routines, and support understanding of insurance options based on personal health habits. It also includes features like voice input, dictation, and advanced search, making the experience more accessible and tailored to individual needs.

image source: https://openai.com/es-ES/index/introducing-chatgpt-health/

Below is an overview of the types of data sources users can integrate with ChatGPT Health.

Comparative Overview

A side-by-side look at how OpenAI for Healthcare and ChatGPT Health support clinical teams and individual users with AI-driven health insights.

Conclusion

The introduction of AI in healthcare is showing real potential, not only as a tool to support clinical workflows, but also as a way to provide reliable information and guidance to people who may not have easy access to specialized care. OpenAI for Healthcare and ChatGPT Health represent a major step forward in applying AI to one of the most regulated and sensitive industries.

Currently, these tools are limited in availability: OpenAI for Healthcare serves select institutions, and ChatGPT Health operates through a waitlist. How and when these solutions expand to smaller clinics, rural areas, or other countries will be key in determining their ability to truly democratize access to high-quality health support.

Healthcare is constantly evolving, with new scientific evidence, clinical guidelines, and regulatory updates. AI solutions like these can help by keeping pace with these changes, providing relevant and accurate information over time.

While AI will not replace healthcare professionals, these tools offer opportunities to reduce administrative burdens, improve efficiency, and empower both clinicians and patients with personalized insights. By making healthcare more accessible, understandable, and responsive, AI can complement human care, helping to achieve better outcomes while supporting professionals rather than replacing them.