Styrian doctor develops health avatar to guide patients

A Styrian doctor has developed a digital avatar to help patients navigate the healthcare system and prepare for consultations, ORF reports. Gerhard Wirnsberger, a training officer with the Styrian Medical Association, says the tool is intended to improve health literacy, not replace medical staff.

Patients can use a video chat to ask the avatar health-related questions and get information within clearly defined legal and ethical limits. It does not replace medical treatment or recommend specific medical interventions.

Wirnsberger will present the avatar and its potential uses at the Styrian Medical Association’s medical training days in Graz on Wednesday. He will stress that such technology must not be misused to replace doctors or other medical personnel.