health care professionals

A health expert is warning that artificial intelligence chatbots cannot replace doctors, as more people turn to tools like ChatGPT for medical advice. The caution comes amid growing use of AI for health questions, with experts stressing that chatbots can mislead, miss serious conditions and should complement rather than substitute professional medical care.

The US Senate has passed legislation addressing mental health support for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure aims to reduce barriers that discourage aviation professionals from seeking mental health care, a long-standing concern in the industry. Reporting by Reuters, the bill is drawing attention amid broader debate over aviation safety and workforce well-being.

The US Senate has approved legislation aimed at updating mental health guidance for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure addresses long-standing concerns that strict medical certification rules discourage aviation professionals from seeking mental health care, for fear of losing their licenses. Supporters say the bill could modernize how federal regulators assess and support the psychological wellbeing of safety-critical aviation staff.

Patients are increasingly consulting the internet for health information before contacting doctors or medical services, according to a report from Chronicle Online. The trend suggests people are using online searches as a first step to assess symptoms and decide whether professional care is needed. Commentators note this raises questions about the reliability of online health advice and how medical services should respond to better-informed, or misinformed, patients.

Texas is moving to train a new frontline workforce to address its mental health care shortages. Texas Public Radio's Science & Medicine segment reports on efforts to expand who can provide mental health support across the state, as demand for care continues to outstrip the availability of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors in many communities.

A new analysis finds that a majority of Oklahoma's behavioral healthcare workforce is made up of part-time workers. The finding points to deep staffing strains in a state already facing shortages of mental health and substance abuse professionals, raising questions about access to care and whether full-time positions can attract and retain clinicians.

A neurologist at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine is calling for worldwide action to improve access to stroke treatment. The appeal highlights gaps in the availability of timely stroke care, particularly in low-resource settings, and urges health systems and policymakers to expand treatment options and faster intervention globally.

The University of Rhode Island's College of Nursing has announced that a healthcare author and leader in contemplative science will deliver its Fall Distinguished Lecture. The annual series brings prominent voices in nursing and health to campus, and the announcement is directed at students, faculty and healthcare professionals in the region interested in contemplative approaches to care.

A former hairdresser has spent time testing a scalp care gadget and shared an honest verdict on how well it works, rating its performance against professional salon experience. The review covers build quality, comfort and whether the device lives up to its promises for scalp health and hair care at home. Readers interested in affordable beauty tech are weighing the verdict before buying.

Psychiatry has a new tool to help clinicians assess and discuss patients' use of AI chatbots, as growing numbers of people turn to artificial intelligence for mental health advice and emotional support. The guidance aims to help psychiatrists ask about AI use, evaluate its impact on care, and address potential risks like misinformation or overreliance on chatbots instead of professional treatment.

Biokineticists, health professionals who treat and manage chronic disease through scientifically prescribed exercise, are highlighted in a new piece examining how their services could reach rural communities. The discussion centres on the barriers that keep rural patients from accessing exercise-based therapy and on practical ways to bring these skills outside major urban centres, positioning exercise science as a tool against disease.

A Medscape piece examines the divide between millennial doctors and boomer physicians in medicine. The discussion reportedly covers differences in work habits, attitudes toward technology, patient care styles, and views on work-life balance between the two generations of medical professionals, a recurring flashpoint in debates about the culture and future of the medical workforce.