ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools are causing a global stir. Since ChatGPT’s release by OpenAI in the fall of 2022, people have had strong opinions about its use, especially in healthcare.
With staffing shortages and physician burnout rising, many see AI as a welcomed relief for administrative duties. Others worry that ChatGPT relieves one stress only to add countless other ones.
ChatGPT is an easy-to-use tool that answers questions and creates content and codes. However, the National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that it may spread misinformation. Are ChatGPT and artificial intelligence keys that unlock Pandora’s box? This article helps physicians consider the benefits, limitations and ethical concerns of ChatGPT in healthcare.
ChatGPT can carry on a human-like conversation by analyzing information and answering questions. This chatbot uses natural language processing, a field of study that develops algorithms to understand spoken or written language. ChatGPT advances its understanding by using neural network architecture and deep learning techniques. It makes word-choice predictions by using data from the Internet.
Many healthcare organizations utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for customer support and data management. Recent conversations revolve around AI’s potential ability to diagnose illnesses and reduce physician burnout.
With 50% of physicians claiming burnout and 20% planning to leave medical practice within two years, the American Medical Association (AMA) hopes tools like ChatGPT can help unburden physicians, allowing them to focus on patient-provider relationships. Many assume ChatGPT in healthcare can improve efficiency and accuracy. They claim the following benefits:
Clinicians turn to ChatGPT to summarize interactions, write patient notes, and analyze medical records. It also helps retrieve relevant information and recruit for clinical trials.
Patients find ChatGPT useful because they can better manage and understand drug therapies. They can ask questions and receive an immediate response. This resource is useful for general patient education. However, it may hinder patient-specific interventions.
Despite its potential benefits, ChatGPT has several limitations that inhibit its dependability. Here are some of the most prominent limitations of ChatGPT in healthcare:
ChatGPT aims for plagiarism-free content. However, this goal has yet to be fully realized. Publishers worry that content lacks accuracy and dependability.
Medical innovations must undergo extensive evaluation to ensure patient safety, and ChatGPT is no different. Because ChatGPT is still in the experimental phase, it has yet to be adequately tested. This AI tool has technical and regulatory challenges that need further evaluation, especially in diverse healthcare specialties.
ChatGPT poses legal and ethical concerns. Medical writers, clinical researchers, physicians and all healthcare professionals must consider these possibilities:
ChatGPT abides by the European Parliament (EP) AI ethical guidelines, emphasizing the importance of human oversight. AI only works when organizations empower humans to ensure the following:
Additionally, the use of AI in scientific research warrants the question, “Who’s the author?” Americans enjoy the privilege of freedom of speech. However, with freedom comes responsibility. Many publishers discount ChatGPT’s content because it cannot bear the responsibility or accountability of free speech. Accountability, authorship, misuse and misinformation are valid concerns.
People are bombarded with ever-changing technologies. Americans welcome many innovations. However, other advancements produce fear and anxiety.
According to AMA president Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of AI creating their care plans or diagnosing their conditions. A 2023 Pew Research Center poll reports that 60% of Americans are uneasy with physicians depending on AI for medical guidance. Public perception of the quality of care is an important consideration when evaluating whether to use AI technologies in medical practices.
In the past, the healthcare community has restricted the use of AI. However, tools like ChatGPT may prove invaluable in reducing physician burnout caused by heavy administrative duties. ChatGPT and AI tools boast potential applications that produce vast healthcare benefits. However, ethical concerns and practical limitations cause clinicians caution.
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“ChatGPT in healthcare: A taxonomy and systematic review.” ScienceDirect: Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 2024, ChatGPT in healthcare: A taxonomy and systematic review – ScienceDirect.
“ChatGPT, AI in health care and the future of medicine with AMA President Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH.” AMA Update, 2023, ChatGPT, AI in health care and the future of medicine with AMA President Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH | AMA Update Video | AMA.
“ChatGPT in medicine: an overview of its applications, advantages, limitations, future prospects, and ethical considerations.” NIH: National Library of Medicine, 2023, ChatGPT in medicine: an overview of its applications, advantages, limitations, future prospects, and ethical considerations – PMC.
“60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable With Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care.” Pew Research Center, 2023, How Americans View Use of AI in Healthcare and Medicine by Doctors and Other Providers | Pew Research Center.
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