AI in Healthcare: Friend or Foe? – A Conversation with Jeff TenBroeck

Episode Overview

In this episode of Merakoi Voices, we explore the evolving role of AI in healthcare, patient advocacy, and business with Jeff TenBroeck—a patient expert in atopic dermatitis and digital entrepreneur. Jeff shares how he leverages AI for personal health research, content creation, and workflow automation, while also highlighting the ethical dilemmas AI presents in healthcare decision-making.

From AI-powered medical insights to insurance denials driven by algorithms, we unpack the promises and pitfalls of AI in modern healthcare and discuss what patients, industry professionals, and innovators can do to keep humanity at the center of AI-driven healthcare.

Guest Bio

Jeff TenBroeck – Patient advocate, entrepreneur, and digital marketing strategist. Jeff has been using AI tools for years to streamline business operations and enhance patient education. As someone living with eczema, he shares firsthand experiences on how AI helps (and sometimes hinders) healthcare accessibility and decision-making.

Key Topics

🔹 AI as a Patient’s Research Assistant – How Jeff uses ChatGPT and Google Gemini to understand his condition, prepare for doctor visits, and translate complex medical papers into plain language.
🔹 The Dark Side of AI in Healthcare – The growing role of AI in insurance claims processing and why Jeff was denied access to life-changing biologic treatments despite meeting all the clinical criteria.
🔹 AI in Business & Content Creation – How AI tools help Jeff automate marketing tasks, script social media content, and improve productivity—while also eliminating traditional job roles.
🔹 The Future of AI & Ethics in Healthcare – How AI can be both empowering and dangerous, and why patient voices must be included in AI development to ensure ethical and patient-centered innovation.
🔹 The Role of Patients in AI Co-Design – Why patient involvement in AI development is critical for creating ethical, effective, and human-first healthcare solutions.

"AI is a tool—not a replacement for human expertise. Patients need to stay informed, question AI-generated decisions, and ensure that technology serves people, not just profits." – Jeff TenBroeck

Main Takeaways for Life Science Professionals

1. AI Is Already Reshaping Patient Behavior
   Patients are actively using AI tools to research symptoms, interpret lab results, and prepare for medical visits. Pharma and healthcare companies must recognize this shift and find ways to support AI-driven patient education with credible, trustworthy resources.
2. Algorithmic Bias & Ethical AI Must Be Addressed
   AI is increasingly making life-changing healthcare decisions, from insurance claim approvals to clinical trial eligibility. But when AI prioritizes cost savings over patient well-being, who is held accountable? Ethical AI governance and patient advocacy are more important than ever.
3. AI in Healthcare Needs More Patient Involvement
   Healthcare AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about people. Engaging patient experts in AI co-design can ensure more equitable, transparent, and human-centered healthcare solutions.
4. AI as a Business & Healthcare Tool
   AI isn't replacing doctors or patients, but it is changing how people access and engage with healthcare. Industry leaders must embrace AI responsibly—leveraging its strengths while ensuring human oversight remains in decision-making.

About Merakoi
At Merakoi, we believe AI should empower patients, not replace human connection in healthcare. We partner with life sciences companies, patient experts, and innovators to design more ethical, patient-driven solutions.

AI can crunch data, but it can’t replace lived experience. Need insights that actually matter? Let's chat!