ChatGPT, internet searches and ‘dhuk dhuk’: Rajnath Singh highlights challenges of self-diagnosis for doctors

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the challenges of self-diagnosis for doctors on August 22, 2026, as people increasingly turn to the internet and ChatGPT for medical advice. During the inauguration of a Mahajan Imaging and Labs facility, Singh observed that people often search for their symptoms online before consulting a physician, and the emergence of ChatGPT has further amplified this trend.

While increased health awareness is beneficial, it also presents challenges, as demonstrated by patients who present their self-diagnosed diseases to doctors instead of merely describing their symptoms.

Singh noted that patients sometimes arrive at the doctor with a diagnosis they have obtained through online research, rather than sharing their symptoms. For instance, a person experiencing mild chest pain might conclude they are suffering from a serious heart disease after searching online, despite the pain potentially being attributed to anxiety or muscle-related issues.

In rural areas, patients may describe their problems using colloquial terms, such as "dhuk dhuk" in the chest, a term unfamiliar to doctors and making accurate expression of the symptoms difficult.

These scenarios emphasize the importance of diagnostic testing. Singh also recounted an amusing incident where a patient, after reading about a symptom online, believed he had claustrophobia. The doctor suggested an MRI scan for treatment, which the patient readily agreed to. However, the doctor pointed out that if the patient genuinely had claustrophobia, he would not have consented to an MRI scan.

Singh concluded by stressing the necessity of combining technology and medical expertise, highlighting that machines can aid in diagnosis but cannot comprehend the patient's mental state. Ultimately, he emphasized that technology and human emotion are integral to the medical profession, requiring doctors to utilize their experience, sensitivity, and compassion in treating patients.