From WebMD to AI Chatbots: How Innovation has Empowered Patients to Take Control of their Health

A new research article published in the Journal of Participatory Medicine unveils how successive waves of digital technology innovation have empowered patients, fostering a more collaborative and responsive health care system. The paper, titled "From Internet to Artificial Intelligence (Al) Bots: Symbiotic Evolutions of Digital Technologies and e-Patients," explores the symbiotic evolution of digital health tools and the increasingly engaged e-patient.

The concept of the e-patient, defined as an individual "equipped, enabled, empowered, and engaged" in their health, has been propelled forward by advancements spanning the early days of the internet to the latest in AI. This evolution marks a significant shift from the traditional passive patient role to one of active participation and co-production in health care.

"Our research demonstrates a clear trajectory where each digital innovation has built upon its predecessors, providing patients with unprecedented tools for self-care and interaction with the health care system," says Dr. Danny Sands, an author of the research. "This isn't just about convenience; it's about fundamentally changing the dynamic between patients and clinicians for the better."

The article details 9 key technological innovations and their profound impact on patient empowerment:

  • The World Wide Web, which democratized access to health information and medical literature.
  • Email, which facilitated asynchronous communication between patients and providers, breaking down traditional barriers.
  • Social networking, which created peer-to-peer support communities, enabling information sharing and emotional support.
  • Electronic health records (EHRs), which enhanced safety and confidence in care, laying the groundwork for patient access to their data.
  • Patient portals, which provided direct access to medical records, secured communication with health care teams, and streamlined administrative tasks.
  • Smartphones, which offered ubiquitous access to health information, apps, and connectivity with health care resources and self-monitoring devices.
  • Patient-generated health data (PGHD), which empowered patients to contribute their own health insights from self-monitoring devices, improving self-management and clinical understanding.
  • Telemedicine and telehealth, which improved access to professional care, especially for mental health and lifestyle needs, and expanded remote care options.
  • AI, which has emerged with vast potential to help patients understand their medical records, enhance comprehension of medical literature, and assist with complex health decisions.

The researchers emphasize that the rise of the e-patient, often driven by a desire for greater control and transparency, has in turn spurred further technological development. This ongoing cycle is creating a health care system that is increasingly safer and more attuned to individual patient needs.

"While we celebrate these advancements, we also recognize the ethical challenges that new technologies, particularly AI, present," Dr. Sands adds. "Concerns around patient safety, data privacy, and equitable access remain paramount and require careful consideration as we move forward."

The study concludes that the symbiotic evolution of digital health technologies and the ascendance of the e-patient are forging a future where communication, collaboration, and coordination between patients and clinicians are significantly improved, leading to a more patient-centric health care experience.

Sands DZ, Finn NB.
From Internet to Artificial Intelligence (Al) Bots: Symbiotic Evolutions of Digital Technologies and e-Patients.
J Particip Med. 2025 Jun 4;17:e68911. doi: 10.2196/68911

Most Popular Now

AI Catches One-Third of Interval Breast …

An AI algorithm for breast cancer screening has potential to enhance the performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), reducing interval cancers by up to one-third, according to a study published...

Great plan: Now We need to Get Real abou…

The government's big plan for the 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS laid out a big role for delivery. However, the Highland Marketing advisory board felt the missing implementation...

Researchers Create 'Virtual Scienti…

There may be a new artificial intelligence-driven tool to turbocharge scientific discovery: virtual labs. Modeled after a well-established Stanford School of Medicine research group, the virtual lab is complete with an...

From WebMD to AI Chatbots: How Innovatio…

A new research article published in the Journal of Participatory Medicine unveils how successive waves of digital technology innovation have empowered patients, fostering a more collaborative and responsive health care...

New AI Tool Accelerates mRNA-Based Treat…

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model can improve the process of drug and vaccine discovery by predicting how efficiently specific mRNA sequences will produce proteins, both generally and in various...

Can Amazon Alexa or Google Home Help Det…

Computer scientists at the University of Rochester have developed an AI-powered, speech-based screening tool that can help people assess whether they are showing signs of Parkinson’s disease, the fastest growing...

AI also Assesses Dutch Mammograms Better…

AI is detecting tumors more often and earlier in the Dutch breast cancer screening program. Those tumors can then be treated at an earlier stage. This has been demonstrated by...

RSNA AI Challenge Models can Independent…

Algorithms submitted for an AI Challenge hosted by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) have shown excellent performance for detecting breast cancers on mammography images, increasing screening sensitivity while...

AI could Help Emergency Rooms Predict Ad…

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help emergency department (ED) teams better anticipate which patients will need hospital admission, hours earlier than is currently possible, according to a multi-hospital study by the...

Head-to-Head Against AI, Pharmacy Studen…

Students pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree routinely take - and pass - rigorous exams to prove competency in several areas. Can ChatGPT accurately answer the same questions? A new...

NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker Users are …

Users of the NHS Active 10 app, designed to encourage people to become more active, immediately increased their amount of brisk and non-brisk walking upon using the app, according to...

The Human Touch of Doctors will Still be…

AI-based medicine will revolutionise care including for Alzheimer’s and diabetes, predicts a technology expert, but it must be accessible to all patients. Healing with Artificial Intelligence, written by technology expert Daniele...