Fake AI Doctors Are Here. Real Doctors Need to Show Up.

The Rise of Fake AI Doctors and the Need for Real Physicians on Social Media00:00

Two weeks before this conversation, a New York Times article revealed an increasing number of fake doctor influencers on Instagram who are selling supplements and other products. This trend makes it increasingly difficult for audiences to distinguish between accurate, reliable medical information and misinformation designed to sell products. The concern is that this problem will only grow, making it harder to identify trustworthy sources.

People want to rely on a real human being—a trusted clinician with proper training and background—to review important health decisions. These decisions range from choosing the right supplement brand to serious choices about continuing medications for heart disease prevention or cancer treatment. The simulation aspect is particularly concerning because while people want a real doctor and crave a relationship with a trusted physician, they are receiving a fake version of that relationship.

The Challenge for Clinicians Navigating Social Media02:30

A regular day as a clinician is already difficult, involving both intellectual tasks and transactional tasks such as billing, administrative work, and documentation. There is also the emotional labor of caring for many patients. The average primary care physician has thousands of patients on their panel, creating significant wear and tear on emotional well-being that leads to burnout and moral fatigue.

Medical training does not prepare clinicians for building a professional brand. There is no training about this in medical school, residency, or fellowship. Clinicians must figure out how to navigate social media presence on their own.