AI chatbots boost patient engagement and reduce clinician workload, study shows

Chatbots powered by artificial intelligence are emerging as meaningful tools in remote patient monitoring and chronic disease management, with the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, support clinicians and boost patient adherence.

These were among the findings of a peer-reviewed study, “Revolutionizing Medicine: Chatbots as Catalysts for Improved Diagnosis, Treatment, and Patient Support,” published in Cureus. 

The report argues that AI-powered virtual assistants can help healthcare systems address persistent challenges in access, efficiency and communication.

According to the research, chatbots are already being applied to various clinical functions, from scheduling and triage to symptom analysis and therapeutic support.

Researchers noted these tools are especially useful for managing high patient volumes, providing timely information and supporting chronic disease management at scale.

While concerns about safety, accuracy and patient privacy remain, the report emphasizes that these challenges can be mitigated through well-designed systems that include clear patient disclosure and human oversight.

Dr. James Colbert, chief medical officer for patient/provider experience at AI developer Commure, whose Memora Health technology was examined in the study, says the company is already seeing these tools deliver measurable results.

“Our goal from day one was to leverage technology and AI systems to design a model of support that meets patient needs,” Colbert said. “We leverage conversational AI such that patients can text questions or concerns right from their phone and get an immediate response.”

The impact on patient engagement is notable, with Colbert explaining that because of the ease of use with this system, engagement rates are over 9src% for patients who are enrolled.

“Using this same approach allows us to support patient care plan adherence, with some clients seeing adherence rates as high as 97%,” he added.

The study notes that timely, accessible information plays a central role in driving those results.

Chatbots can help demystify medical instructions and provide real-time reminders or explanations, especially for patients with chronic illnesses who require ongoing guidance.

“Studies have shown that on average, only half of patients with chronic disease adhere to their care plans and medications as instructed,” Colbert said. “Patients expect on-demand support, and that is not how most health systems operate today.”

One of the major advantages highlighted in the study is the scalability of chatbots in remote care environments.

Chatbots can manage large volumes of patient interactions without adding to staff burden—an essential consideration as healthcare systems face increasing financial and operational pressures.

“Hiring more full-time employees is just not feasible in this environment,” Colbert said. “There’s a huge interest currently in leveraging technology and automation to ensure patients are supported and their needs are met.”

Beyond cost savings, AI-powered chatbots can also improve patient retention and satisfaction.

“A satisfied patient is more likely to use the same healthcare organization for additional care needs and to refer family members and friends,” he said.

While concerns remain about safety and data privacy, Colbert said these are being addressed head-on through thoughtful system design.

“We employ clinicians to review all content and interactions prior to enrolling live patients,” he said. “We set up triggers and thresholds for when to bring a human into the loop.”

Patients are made aware that they’re interacting with a virtual assistant and can request a human clinician at any time.

The survey results suggest that as RPM programs expand and patient expectations evolve, the integration of AI-powered support tools could be key to keeping healthcare systems sustainable and responsive.

“We’re not replacing the clinician,” Colbert said. “We are creating a model of care that scales smarter.”

Nathan Eddy is a healthcare and technology freelancer based in Berlin.
Email the writer: nathaneddy@gmail.com