ChatGPT has become a household name in the medical field, with doctors using it for everything from quick answers to drafting patient notes. But here’s the catch—most users are only scratching the surface of what this AI can do. Many of its best features remain underutilized, leaving valuable time-saving tools untapped.
AI won’t replace doctors anytime soon, but it can make your life significantly easier. If you’re relying on ChatGPT for just the basics, you might be missing out on its real potential.
Here are six powerful ChatGPT features that can streamline your workflow and help you reclaim your time.
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 Can Create Your Own GPT
Custom GPTs let you fine-tune ChatGPT to better align with your specific medical practice, specialty, and workflow. Instead of getting generic AI responses, you can train ChatGPT to understand your field, follow your protocols, and even assist with specific tasks like drafting patient instructions or summarizing medical guidelines. You can also customize its tone—whether you want it to be clinical and precise or warm and patient-friendly.
This is a game-changer because it allows for greater personalization and efficiency. You won’t have to keep repeating yourself or adjusting generic AI-generated responses. Whether you work in a niche medical field, need support with administrative work, or want to automate patient education, a custom GPT can save time and ensure consistency in how information is delivered.
For a step-by-step guide on building your own GPT, check out this comprehensive tutorial
How to Use It:
- Open ChatGPT and go to Explore GPTs.
- Click Create and follow the setup prompts.
- Define the AI’s behavior with instructions like, “Act as a cardiologist specializing in hypertension management.”
- Upload any relevant reference materials (e.g., treatment protocols, best practice guidelines).
- Test and tweak the settings to ensure optimal performance.
Disclaimer: AI-generated medical content should be reviewed by a qualified professional before use in clinical decision-making.
2. You Can Schedule Tasks with ChatGPT
ChatGPT’s Tasks feature lets you schedule reminders and automate actions, essentially making it your personal AI assistant. Whether it’s remembering to follow up with a patient, setting reminders for medication reviews, or even drafting weekly reports in advance, this feature ensures you don’t have to rely solely on your memory or sticky notes.
For physicians juggling patient care, research, and administrative work, having a proactive AI assistant can be a lifesaver. Instead of manually setting reminders or using multiple apps, ChatGPT can handle it all in one place. It’s perfect for ensuring that critical follow-ups and time-sensitive actions don’t slip through the cracks. To see how this feature can simplify your life, read more here.
How to Use It:
- Ensure you’re subscribed to ChatGPT Plus, Team, or Pro (as the feature is in beta).
- Navigate to the Tasks section in ChatGPT.
- Set up tasks with details like “Remind me to check on Mr. Smith’s medication refill every Friday at 2 PM.”
- Review and adjust your tasks as needed in the Tasks section.
Note: As this feature is still in beta, its functionality may evolve over time.
3. You Can Upload Files & Analyze Data
Gone are the days of manually sifting through research papers, lab reports, or patient data spreadsheets. ChatGPT allows you to upload files—whether they’re PDFs, CSVs, or Excel sheets—and quickly analyze their contents. It can summarize complex studies, extract key points from long reports, and even detect trends in lab results over time.
This feature is a huge time-saver for doctors who need to process large amounts of information quickly. Instead of spending hours reading through dense documents, you can get concise summaries and actionable insights in minutes. Whether you’re reviewing patient history, conducting research, or analyzing hospital data, ChatGPT has you covered.
How to Use It:
- Click the 📎 attachment icon in ChatGPT.
- Upload your file (e.g., a spreadsheet with patient BP trends).
- Instruct ChatGPT on the desired analysis (e.g., “Summarize the key findings of this study in plain language.”).
- Review the output, including summaries, charts, or specific data insights.
Disclaimer: ChatGPT’s data analysis should not replace professional judgment or regulatory compliance requirements.
4. You Can Conduct Deep Research
Finding reliable medical information can be time-consuming, but ChatGPT’s Deep Research feature allows it to autonomously browse trusted sources and compile structured reports. Need a literature review on the latest hypertension treatments? ChatGPT can gather information from multiple sources and summarize key findings in minutes.
For doctors who need evidence-based information but don’t have time to dig through PubMed for hours, this feature is invaluable. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation, writing a research paper, or looking for the latest clinical guidelines, ChatGPT does the heavy lifting for you.
How to Use It:
- Open ChatGPT and enable Deep Research (available to Pro users).
- Enter a request such as, “Generate a literature review on the latest advancements in Type 2 diabetes treatment.”
- Allow 5-30 minutes for ChatGPT to compile a structured report.
- Review citations and verify findings before clinical application.
Disclaimer: Always cross-check AI-generated research with peer-reviewed sources before applying it in practice.
5. You Can Draft & Edit Long-Form Documents
Writing lengthy reports, research papers, or medical guidelines can be daunting, but ChatGPT’s Canvas feature provides an interactive editing workspace. It’s designed for drafting and refining long-form documents, making it an excellent tool for medical professionals who need to produce detailed reports or publications.
Instead of jumping between multiple word processors, you can work directly within ChatGPT, iterating on content with AI-powered suggestions. Whether you’re drafting policy documents, research abstracts, or even patient education materials, this feature helps keep everything organized and streamlined.
How to Use It:
- Open ChatGPT and select Canvas Mode.
- Start a new document and input your draft.
- Use ChatGPT’s editing tools to refine sections, enhance clarity, and ensure readability.
- Save or export the final version for submission or review.
6. You Can Use Voice & Image Features
ChatGPT-4o now supports both voice input and image analysis, making interactions more dynamic and accessible. You can dictate notes hands-free, upload images for text recognition, and interact with ChatGPT more naturally, whether you’re on the go or in a busy clinic.
For doctors, this means easier documentation, quicker reference material processing, and improved accessibility. Imagine dictating patient notes while driving home or scanning handwritten notes for instant transcription—these small efficiencies can add up to significant time savings.
For a detailed tutorial on creating images using ChatGPT, explore this guide.
How to Use It:
- Activate voice mode in ChatGPT for hands-free interactions.
- Upload images (such as handwritten patient notes) for text recognition.
- Ask ChatGPT for transcription or organization of key information.
Disclaimer: Image-based AI analysis is not a substitute for radiological or pathological interpretation by trained professionals.
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Conclusion
While no single tool can eliminate the demands of a physician’s day, small efficiency gains can add up. Whether it’s automating reminders, summarizing research, or drafting reports, these ChatGPT features can help streamline tasks and reduce cognitive overload.
By incorporating AI into your workflow, you’re not just saving time—you’re also creating more bandwidth for meaningful patient care and professional growth. By the way, if you’ve ever struggled with getting the best results from AI, this ChatGPT Cheat Sheet is a great way to level up your skills. Be sure to check it out.
Which feature are you most excited to try? Let me know!
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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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