Many people wonder whether a doctor can really assess their situation in a chat. They can, and often very precisely. A large part of a doctor's decisions rests on what the patient tells them: how the symptoms began, how they have developed and what lies in the background. In a chat all of this is written down and structured before the doctor even opens the case. Here is how the assessment works and what you can do to make it go well.
What happens when you start a conversation
- You describe your concern in your own words. You do not need to know medical terms.
- The service asks follow-up questions, much as a doctor would at the start of an appointment: when the symptoms began, how they have developed, what makes them worse or better, which medicines you take.
- Your answers are compiled into a summary that the doctor reads.
- The doctor assesses the situation, asks more if needed and makes a decision: advice, a prescription, a sick leave certificate, or a referral for tests or an in-person appointment.
The chat is always open, and a doctor responds during service hours every day from 8:00 to 20:00, usually within a few minutes.
What the AI does and does not do
In Treat, the AI asks structured follow-up questions and compiles your answers into a summary. It does not diagnose, decide on treatment, judge urgency or make automated decisions. Every clinical decision is made by a licensed doctor. The AI's role is the same as a good intake form: it helps gather the background information for the doctor's assessment. The doctor asks more if needed.
Your data is never used to train AI models, and personal data stays within the EU. More in the privacy policy.
What information helps most
You do not need to write an exhaustive account, but the following make the assessment faster and more accurate:
- When and how the symptoms began: suddenly or gradually, and how they have changed.
- Duration and pattern: is the symptom constant or does it come in episodes, and what time of day is it worst.
- What makes it worse or better: movement, rest, food, position.
- General condition: fever, appetite, sleep, energy.
- Medicines and allergies: all regular medicines, including supplements and contraception, and any known drug allergies.
- Existing conditions and possible pregnancy.
- What you have already tried and whether it helped.
- A photo, when the symptom is visible: a rash, a mole, a swollen joint, an eye. You can add a photo in the chat; take it in good light and, if useful, take two: an overview and a close-up.
With your consent, the doctor can fetch your records from Kanta, Finland's national health data archive, for the case. This helps especially when it is about continuing a medication or a previous illness. The fetched records are kept only for the duration of the case.
When the doctor directs you to an examination
An honest answer is part of good care. The doctor directs you onwards when a decision cannot safely be made from your account and photos:
- the symptom needs a physical examination, for example feeling the abdomen, examining an ear or listening to the lungs
- a laboratory test, urine sample or imaging is needed before a treatment decision
- the symptoms are atypical or do not fit the story
- treatment has already been tried and has not helped
- the situation is urgent: then you are directed straight to the emergency department
The referral goes through the care you already have: your public health centre, occupational healthcare, insurance or a private clinic. You do not have to start from scratch. According to our figures (updated 31 August 2026), 62 % of cases needed no separate appointment.
Go to the emergency department or call 112 immediately if
- you have chest pain or sudden shortness of breath
- you have stroke-like symptoms: one-sided weakness, slurred speech, a drooping mouth. In that case call 112 immediately, even if the symptom passes.
- you are confused or your level of consciousness is dropping
- you have severe, sudden headache or abdominal pain
- you have a serious injury or heavy bleeding
- you have suicidal thoughts and are not safe
In an emergency, a chat is the wrong place. Call 112.
How Treat works
A licensed doctor usually assesses your situation within minutes during service hours and either resolves it directly or directs you to the right place without unnecessary steps. The visit appears in Omakanta, the patient's own view of Kanta, and a prescription can be collected straight away from any pharmacy.
This article is general health information and does not replace an individual assessment by a doctor.