# From E-Patients to AI Patients: The Tidal Wave Empowering Patients, Redefining Clinical Relationships, and Transforming Care

## TL;DR

This paper explores how AI is empowering patients and changing how they interact with healthcare providers.

## Contribution

It introduces a new theme issue focusing on patient and public use of AI in health.

## Key findings

- AI is increasingly used by patients and caregivers for health-related knowledge.
- The intersection of AI and participatory medicine is underexplored.
- The paper highlights the need to examine AI's role from the patient's perspective.

## Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models offer significant potential to enhance many aspects of daily life. Patients and caregivers are increasingly using AI for their own knowledge and to address personal challenges. The growth of AI has been extraordinary; however, the field is only beginning to explore its intersection with participatory medicine. For many years, the Journal of Participatory Medicine has published insights on tech-enabled patient empowerment and strategies to enhance patient-clinician relationships. This theme issue, Patient and Consumer Use of AI for Health, will explore the use of AI for health from the perspective of patients and the public.