One of my favorite parts of a patient visit is when someone surprises me by showing up with their whole family. The first time I met Yvonne, she was five months pregnant. Just recently, I got to meet her five-year-old son in person. We hugged and spent a little time catching up on each other’s lives. When I went to greet Trisha from the lobby, she told me how much she had enjoyed chatting with Acacia, our front desk coordinator, while she waited.
She mentioned that she is tired of talking to a robot every time she calls her other doctors at Stanford.
With the surge of Artificial Intelligence (AI), my life as a doctor has changed, just as my patients’ lives have. I use AI for work every day. I used to spend hours buried in medical journal databases doing research; now AI filters and organizes those journals for me.
It saves so much time.
I love having this kind of personal assistant, but there are other aspects of my practice that AI simply cannot replace. One is the human connection. I always tell my new patients that, when possible, I would like to meet them in person at least for the first visit.
There is a different energy in the room when we meet face to face. I can pick up on their emotions more readily—their worries, sadness, joy, and struggles. I can look into their eyes and let them know that I hear their pain and that we will get through the hard times together. The road may be bumpy, but healing will eventually come. I can also sense that my patients deeply appreciate that energy.
I learned from Dr. John Bastyr, a pioneer of Naturopathic Medicine, that human touch is healing.
It is healing when we give a hug to someone who is sad and lonely. It is healing when we hold the hand of someone who is worried and lost, and show them the way forward. A physical exam is not only helpful for making a diagnosis—it is also an opportunity to provide healing in itself. When I perform an abdominal exam, I often feel restrictions in certain areas of the abdominal cavity. I take extra time to gently massage those areas to help provide some release.
Another aspect of care that AI struggles with is navigating the nuances.
Practicing medicine is both a science and an art. When I was fresh out of medical school, I asked many questions during visits—but not always the right ones. It took time to learn how to ask the questions that would reveal the information I needed to make an accurate diagnosis and finalize a treatment plan.
AI-generated diagnoses and treatments rely entirely on the information fed into the model.
Unless the user thinks like a clinician, critical details will inevitably be missing, which can lead to an incomplete or incorrect diagnosis or treatment. For patients I have worked with for years, I know their history well. I know when something is a flare or something new. I know which treatments work well for them and which to avoid. I know the pace that works best for more sensitive patients. Every time you describe your symptoms to an AI, it is starting fresh—without the years of experience knowing you or people like you.
If you use AI for health information, use it with caution.
Think of it as a starting point rather than the final word. Have the information reviewed by a trained professional, and remain open to the perspective that a medical provider can offer.
At Naturopathic Family Health, we welcome patients who come in with questions. You will be greeted by a warm and caring team that goes above and beyond to provide the best care possible. You will receive a care plan thoughtfully tailored to your unique needs—and a team of doctors who will lift you up when you struggle and cheer you on as you reach your milestones.
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Dr. Sherry Su, ND, FABNG
Naturopathic Doctor San Jose
408-356-1364
Dr. Sherry Su is a licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, women’s health, thyroid and adrenal imbalances, and anxiety. She earned her degree from Bastyr University and holds the prestigious FABNG certification for advanced expertise in evidence-based naturopathic gastrointestinal care. With a compassionate, integrative approach, Dr. Su uses minimally invasive therapies to help patients reclaim their health and well-being. She is passionate about empowering patients with sustainable lifestyle changes and personalized care.
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