As artificial intelligence becomes an increasing source of healthcare information, Hartford HealthCare and K Health announced Thursday the launch of a new tool serving as a “24/7 AI bridge” to its care team.
PatientGPT is designed to “provide personalized education and guidance” using patients’ data, through its secure access to medical records, to answer health questions, the announcement said.
"We are at an inflection point in healthcare," Allon Bloch, K Health CEO and co-founder, said in the announcement. "Demand is accelerating, and patients are already using AI to navigate their lives. The question isn't whether AI will shape healthcare—it's about how we do it in a safe, transparent way, inside a health system that connects to your medical records and your care team. PatientGPT represents that turning point."
A recent report from Rock Health found that 32% of respondents reported using AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, to seek out health information. Similarly, KFF found that 32% of adults nationwide use such tools for health questions—with 29% of adults seeking physical health information and 16% seeking mental health information.
Researchers at K Health built the system to “understand the language of medicine,” and help patients ask clarifying questions, provide relevant context and offer immediate care access when appropriate, the announcement said.
With PatientGPT, users can access plain-language lab results, ask health-related questions, identify potential medication interactions, schedule in-person visits and more.
Clinicians can also review summaries of chats within the platform.
A beta version of the tool is currently rolling out for a limited number of patients 18 years old and older in Connecticut, Hartford Healthcare told Fierce Healthcare in an email. PatientGPT does not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments or operate autonomously, the system said.
Hartford HealthCare President and CEO Jeff Flaks said in the announcement that the system is “on a mission to be the most consumer-centric health system” in the nation.
“So much of healthcare has traditionally been organized around the provider, but it's clear we have to meet people where they are and where they desire to be met,” Flaks said. “With PatientGPT, we are introducing a new tool that supports your health and provides access to a 24/7 care team, while protecting the human relationships at the heart of care."