How is AI transforming patient advocacy

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AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for supporting improved healthcare solutions and outcomes. In this blog we look at how patients, carers and patient advocacy groups are using AI in new and innovative ways to connect, empower and create lasting change.

One of the most important roles of advocacy is supporting patients when they need it most. AI can empower patient advocacy groups by helping them to deliver smarter support, personalised education and innovative research solutions.

AI chatbots and virtual assistants for patient engagement

Patient advocacy has always centred on providing compassionate support when patients are most in need. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are now offering round-the-clock guidance and answers. This may be helping someone find the right healthcare resource, answering a tricky question about their condition, or even providing a little emotional reassurance on a tough day. Platforms like HealthUnlocked use AI to link patients with communities that share similar experiences, helping to foster connections and support.

Personalised patient education

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all educational materials. Instead, AI can create tailored content that speaks directly to a patient’s unique condition, comprehension level and language preference. The result? Empowered patients who can better manage their health because they fully understand what’s happening and what to do next.

Pharma organisations are also looking at how they can use large language models (LLMs) to provide enhanced 24/7 patient education. For example, Health Answers by Pfizer (US only) is a new consumer digital product powered by generative AI that aims to provide clear, relevant answers to health and wellness questions, enabling patients to take action for themselves and their loved ones. Pfizer claims that the service is ‘objective & unbiased, sourcing information from trusted and credible organizations that have high standards for maintaining a science-backed & evidence-based approach with editorial independence’.

Shaping healthcare policy with AI insights

Effective patient advocacy extends beyond individual support between patients and doctors, with the biggest impacts often being felt in how groups can influence systemic change to improve patient outcomes. By using AI to analyse social media trends and sentiment, organisations can better understand what topics matter to patients and their families. This means campaigns can focus on the right issues and use language that truly resonates with patients and their carers.

Patient advocacy doesn’t just cover healthcare — it also includes the rights of patients and their healthcare information. The Light Collective is a community-based group that focuses on establishing patient rights, interests and voices in the development of new and emerging health technologies, including the ethical use of AI in healthcare.

AI is creating new opportunities for patient advocacy, but at its heart, it’s still all about people. Platforms like HealthUnlocked and PatientsLikeMe are showing how AI can bring patients together and support meaningful research. And with advocacy groups pushing for ethical AI use, the future of healthcare could be one where every patient can benefit from personalised, accessible and effective care.

By keeping patients at the centre of healthcare, AI is helping advocacy groups create a future where everyone has the chance to live healthier, better-supported lives. That’s why, in our own AI tools, we’ve made a commitment to never use them to replace the work we do to create real connections with patients through co-creation or research.

For more insights on AI in healthcare and patient advocacy, subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on clinical trials, patient engagement strategies and innovative healthcare solutions.

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References

HealthUnlocked. Accessed March 2025.

Health Answers By Pfizer. Accessed March 2025.

PatientsLikeMe. Accessed March 2025.

The Light Collective. Accessed March 2025.

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