We may not admit it out loud, but deep down… most of us really love ChatGPT.
I mean, how could you not? It’s basically a pocket robot that’s always around, never judges questions (even the funny ones), and somehow replies faster than your busiest colleague ever could. Like having a genius friend, on-call, that never sleeps.
But here’s the thing…
Nobody’s using it perfectly. In fact, a lot of people—smart, capable, well-meaning people—are using it completely wrong.
And hey, no shame. This goes to everyone who hits home. Asking lazy questions, trusting answers we shouldn’t have, or getting caught outsourcing way too much than it should. It happens. But here’s what I’ve learned:
Just like with investing, side hustles, or even patient care, small tweaks can lead to massive improvement. The better you learn to use ChatGPT, the more valuable and mind-blowing it becomes.
So in this post, I’m going to walk you through 10 of the most common (and sneaky) ways physicians misuse ChatGPT, and more importantly, how to fix each one. Let’s get to it!
Note: While these are general suggestions, it’s important to conduct thorough research and due diligence when selecting AI tools. We do not endorse or promote any specific AI tools mentioned here.
1. You’re Too Trusting of Everything It Says
This one’s a biggie. Just because ChatGPT says something confidently doesn’t mean it’s correct. It’s kind of like that one med student who answered every question in rounds with full certainty, only for the attending to shake their head and go, “Actually…”
I’ve seen people make important decisions off AI-generated answers without double-checking a single thing. Others did this and found out way too late that the answer was totally wrong. That’s not just a mistake. It’s potentially dangerous. Cross-check. Especially if it’s about health, money, or anything with real consequences.
Want to use ChatGPT safely? Check out our AI Safety Checklist for Doctors for smart, secure use.
2. You’re Replacing Real People With a Chatbot
I get it. ChatGPT’s always there. It listens, never interrupts, and says nice things when you need them. But some folks are turning to it for emotional support… like a full-on therapist or best friend. And while it can offer comforting words, that’s a slippery slope.
Others fell into this and realized they were slowly disconnecting from the people around them. ChatGPT is a tool. It’s not your community, your partner, or your tribe. Lean on real people for the big, emotional stuff.
3. You’re Giving It Lazy Prompts
If you ask ChatGPT something vague like “write an article,” don’t be surprised when you get something bland, robotic, and kinda… meh.
Think of it like training someone new in your clinic. If you don’t explain what’s going on, you’ll get the wrong help. Be specific. Give it a role, context, tone, examples. If you want magic, you’ve got to feed it more than breadcrumbs.
Use our Ultimate ChatGPT Prompt Cheat Sheet (2025 Edition) to level up your inputs.
4. You’re Letting Your Brain Atrophy
You ever hear someone say, “I can’t do math anymore. My calculator does it all”? Yeah… this is that, but on steroids.
I’ve talked to people who’ve used ChatGPT so much, they feel like they can’t write anymore.
Others shared stories about losing creative confidence because they were outsourcing every idea. Look, I’m all about leverage, but if you don’t flex your own mental muscles, you lose ‘em. Use AI to support your thinking, not replace it.
5. You Think It Knows Everything (It Doesn’t)
Fun fact: ChatGPT doesn’t always know what year it is. Ask it about current events or stock prices, and it might just make something up and say it with full confidence.
And some folks learned this the hard way when it “hallucinated” current data that didn’t exist. It’s not connected to real-time news unless it explicitly tells you it is. Treat it like an over-eager intern. It knows a lot, but always double-check.
6. You’re Settling for the First Answer
Let’s say ChatGPT gives you a reply that’s just okay. Most people shrug and move on. But you’d never accept a lukewarm latte from your favorite coffee shop without asking for a fix, right?
Same here. Ask it to improve the tone, make it punchier, rewrite it like Hemingway, or even explain it like you’re five. That second or third draft? That’s usually where the gold lives.
7. You’re Telling It Way Too Much
Now here’s something we really need to talk about: privacy.
I know it feels like a safe little sandbox, but this thing isn’t Fort Knox. Don’t plug in your social security number, your private business strategies, or your cousin’s weird medical history. You never know where that info ends up, or what systems are trained on it.
Even some users were shocked to realize how fast their ChatGPT memory filled up. Just because it remembers doesn’t mean it should.
8. You Think It Remembers You (It Doesn’t… Much)
Unless you’re using the memory feature and it’s turned on, ChatGPT doesn’t remember your previous chats. So if you’re frustrated that it “forgot” who you are or what you asked yesterday… that’s why.
You’ve gotta treat every session like a first date. Reintroduce yourself. Set the tone. If it does have memory, use it wisely (and check what it’s storing, some of it might surprise you).
9. You’re Using It for Stuff It Shouldn’t Do
ChatGPT can explain legal terms. It can give you a rough outline for a business contract. But would you let it defend you in court? File your taxes? Perform surgery?
Didn’t think so.
It’s good for high-level ideas and education, not actionable professional advice. If your money, health, or legal safety is on the line. Get a real human involved.
For legal use guidelines, check out: 5 Legal Aspects to Remember When Using AI.
10. You Forgot It Has Biases
People assume ChatGPT is neutral because it’s “just code.” Nope. It was trained on the internet… and you’ve seen the internet.
Everything from cultural biases to political leanings can seep into its answers. So if something feels off, it might be. Ask for multiple perspectives. Challenge its assumptions. Don’t let AI spoon-feed you someone else’s worldview without even realizing it.
Unlock the Full Power of ChatGPT With This Copy-and-Paste Prompt Formula!
Download the Complete ChatGPT Cheat Sheet! Your go-to guide to writing better, faster prompts in seconds. Whether you’re crafting emails, social posts, or presentations, just follow the formula to get results instantly.
Save time. Get clarity. Create smarter.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, ChatGPT is amazing. It can help you save time, brainstorm, even laugh a little. But it’s not magic. It’s not perfect. And it definitely doesn’t replace your own thinking, creativity, or relationships.
But the better you use it, the more powerful it becomes.
Try this today: go back to something you asked ChatGPT this week. Refine it. Add context. Push it further. Then see how much better the output gets. It might just blow your mind. That’s it. Now let’s get to fixing!
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To go deeper, check out PIMDCON 2025 — The Physician Real Estate & Entrepreneurship Conference. You’ll gain real-world strategies from doctors who are successfully integrating AI and business for massive results.
See you again next time! As always, make it happen.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on available public data and may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date. It’s recommended to contact the respective companies/individuals for detailed information on features, pricing, and availability.
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Peter Kim, MD is the founder of Passive Income MD, the creator of Passive Real Estate Academy, and offers weekly education through his Monday podcast, the Passive Income MD Podcast. Join our community at the Passive Income Doc Facebook Group.
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