Patients Are Skipping Going to the Doctor Because AI “Receptionists” Can’t Understanding What They’re Saying
"I ended up just hanging up and not bothering to try and book an appointment." The post Patients Are Skipping Going to the Doctor Because AI “Receptionists” Can’t Understanding What They’re Saying appeared first on Futurism .
Some patients in the UK are avoiding doctor's offices due to their AI "receptionist," named "Emma," struggling to comprehend their distinct Yorkshire accent. Kym Gleeson, a manager at Healthwatch Rotherham, explained that the AI can struggle with understanding patients' inquiries because of the variety of accents in South Yorkshire.
One frustrated patient said they simply hung up and didn't bother booking an appointment because the AI couldn't understand them. This issue is part of a larger trend of AI being used in healthcare settings, such as taking calls, booking appointments, and even triaging patients. While proponents argue that AI receptionists like Emma can increase call capacity and reduce wait times, some patients find the experience so frustrating that they prefer to go to the doctor in person.
QuantumLoopAI, the company behind Emma, claims that their AI can understand 17 languages and a wide range of accents, and that callers can always request to speak with a human staff member.
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