Community Health Workers Provide Better Healthcare than an AI Chatbot

‍All signs point to AI;  at least that’s what it seems. There is excitement that AI can make life better, and fear that AI can make life worse. Personally, I tend to worry more about NS (Natural Stupidity) than AI (Artificial Intelligence).

I’m the person who likes to look into someone’s eyes and talk about issues, not gaze into their capacitors for reassurance. For me, long years of person-to-person interaction seem to outweigh person-to-electrode.

Comparing a CHW and AI in Handling a Patient Problem

I have this vision that has popped up in my head:

It compares one of my community health workers with an AI chatbot working on the same patient’s problem.  It goes something like this: (And yes, this is very similar to what these conversations sound like.)

Community Health Worker

CHW: “Hi, Rosie.  How are you?

Rosie: “Oh, girl, I’m good. I saw it was your number and answered. You know I ain’t got many minutes on this phone.”

CHW: “Well, I’m glad you answered. How are you doing since your EBT card was cut?”

Rosie: “I was just telling Pookie that she needs to take me to Lighthouse next time they get a shipment. Food ain’t easy to come by when you ain’t got no money.”

CHW: (Knowing Pookie is Rosie’s sister and Lighthouse is a distribution point for the local food pantry.) “Don’t I know it! I just saw Pookie at the T-Ball game, you know Lil Poo and my Bubba Bear are on the same team. She said things were hard right now and she was taking you to Lighthouse next Thursday. You know, if something happens and she can’t, you call here to the pharmacy, and we’ll help you find a ride.”

Rosie: “I know, sweetie. You know I will. Love you, Doll. Bye.”

CHW: “Bye now.”

Artificial Intelligence Chatbot

AI: “Pookie??????”

AI: “Pookie?????”

AI: “What is a Pookie?????”

Community Pharmacies provide a Critical Human Connection to Patients

No matter the condition that separates a person from their best health, people in need respond better to familiar, friendly problem solvers. AI can list resources. AI can sound almost human.  But most importantly, AI cannot be empathetic.

Pharmacy community health workers provide critical healthcare services in rural areas

Very rarely will someone bump into an artificial intelligence entity at the local grocery store and have a conversation. Note that AI offers hope for improving the efficiency of pharmacy operations. However, it’s no substitute for CHWs and community pharmacists providing healthcare directly to patients.

Pharmacy Community Health Workers (PCHWs) in rural, underserved areas share things in common with the people they serve. They live in the same neighborhoods and shop in the same grocery stores. Additionally, their kids go to the same schools, the families go to the same churches, and everyone goes to the same civic functions.

There is a shared sense of community in rural America. People wish the best for their neighbor.  Community pharmacies are an anchoring hub of any small town. Along with the local schools, churches, and banks, they simply add flavor to rural life.

PCHWs, working with their clinical pharmacists, blend the best local flavor, trusted friendship, and clinical care, benefiting each patient. For healthcare to be efficacious and cost-effective, it must begin early. It needs to begin in the community and the neighborhood, brought to you by people who care.

Rosie knows that. So does Pookie.