The Doctor–Patient Relationship in the age of Dr. Google

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As a functional medicine physician, one of my biggest concerns is seeing patients turn to the internet before turning to me. I completely understand the temptation—typing your symptoms into Google or asking a chatbot feels quick, private, and convenient. But here’s the problem: by the time many of my patients reach out, they’ve already tried to self-diagnose and self-treat. Too often, I only hear from them once things have gone from bad to worse. At that point, I’m not just addressing the original issue—I’m also trying to untangle the side effects of whatever over-the-counter medications or “natural” remedies they attempted along the way.

I don’t say this to discourage curiosity. In fact, I think it’s wonderful that people want to be informed and involved in their own health. And truthfully, I believe that artificial intelligence is one of the most powerful tools we have in our modern lives. For doctors, it can scan huge volumes of research in seconds and point us towards existing evidence-based protocols, and even new insights. For patients, health apps may raise awareness and encourage proactive engagement with their well-being. Used appropriately, these technologies can empower individuals and supplement medical care.

But here’s the catch: a computer does not have “the senses” to observe the nuances of a patient’s condition. The tone of a patient’s voice, the look in their eyes, the way someone breathes, moves, or even the feeling of their pulse and skin are just some of the essential clues that contribute to a complete evaluation. Medicine is both a science and an art. While data is vital, it is only part of the picture. The lived experience of the patient, interpreted through the doctor’s senses, intuition, and clinical judgment, remains irreplaceable.

This is where functional medicine brings unique value. The doctor–patient relationship is about more than solving a problem. It is built on trust, empathy, and communication. My job isn’t only to treat symptoms—it’s to step back and look for the root causes. That often means exploring diet, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and environmental influences, alongside the physical exam and lab results. It’s a holistic approach that requires time, attention, and personal connection. And it works best when patients come to me early, before a small concern becomes a full-blown crisis.

So, here’s my advice: if something feels off health-wise, please don’t embark on a self-treatment journey. Reach out to your doctor right away, so that he or she can examine you and come up with the most holistic approach possible to bring you back to your good health.

In today’s digital age, there’s no question that artificial intelligence will play a growing role in healthcare. But the art of listening, seeing, observing, and truly understanding a patient—that will always belong to human connection – it is vital to healing.

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The author of Diet Slave No More!, Svetlana Kogan, MD, IFMCP is a

Board-Certified Internal Medicine, Holistic & Functional Medical Doctor with

25 years of experience.

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