A Nigerian woman, Toluwanimi Blessing Ibitoye-Fatola, has raised concerns over what she described as a growing practice in hospitals, alleging that some doctors use ChatGPT to process patients’ complaints and guide their diagnoses.

In a post shared on social media, Ibitoye-Fatola expressed frustration over paying hospital consultation fees only to discover that a doctor might be relying on artificial intelligence (AI) while attending to patients.

She said she became concerned after noticing a doctor repeatedly typing on a mobile phone while attending to her, allegedly using information obtained from ChatGPT to guide the consultation.

‘Why Didn’t I Just Ask AI Myself?’

Explaining her experience, she wrote:

“There’s this pandemic going on in hospitals right now.

“Have you noticed that whenever you go to the hospital and you are speaking to some doctors, the doctor is typing everything on ChatGPT, gives you the response or next question from AI and I’m seated wondering why I didn’t speak to AI myself for free and then have to come to a hospital to pay a huge sum to see the doctor who is an AI user.

“As God will catch him, I mistakenly saw the interface while he was trying to get something else done. I was awed!

“Am I the only one who has noticed this? This is a serious issue that needs serious attention because ko funny mo ooo.

“I had to ask this guy the school he finished from, he didn’t know why I asked.

“He isn’t the first nor second person in that same hospital… What is our fate ooooo.

“God epp us, most of our professionals are already ‘japaing’.”

Her comments sparked discussions online about the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare and whether patients should be concerned when doctors use digital tools during consultations.

Doctors Explain Possible Use of Electronic Medical Records

Several medical doctors responded to her post, explaining that a doctor typing on a device during a consultation does not necessarily mean the doctor is using AI to diagnose a patient.

They noted that medical professionals routinely use Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems to document patients’ symptoms, medical histories, examination findings and treatment plans.

According to the doctors, such systems allow healthcare professionals to maintain patient records and manage clinical information electronically.

However, Ibitoye-Fatola maintained that the situation she witnessed was different from the use of an electronic medical record system.

Woman Insists Doctor Was Using a Phone Alongside Hospital Screen

In an edit to her original post, she clarified that the doctor had access to a large screen displaying the patient’s information but continued looking at and typing on a mobile phone.

She wrote:

“Mind you, this isn’t EMR, there is a large screen right in front of the doctor which has all the patient details and then keeps looking and typing repeatedly on his phone alongside the screen…”

Her clarification renewed the discussion about the appropriate use of AI tools in medical consultations and the need for transparency between doctors and their patients.

While AI can assist healthcare professionals with research, documentation and clinical decision-making, it should not replace professional medical judgment. Any diagnosis or treatment decision must be based on an appropriate clinical assessment and the patient’s individual circumstances.

The claims have also raised broader questions about patient trust, medical accountability and the responsible use of emerging technology in Nigeria’s healthcare system.