In contrast, ChatGPT was able to string together a text block that discussed relevant side effects separated by category (e.g., neurologic, infectious, cosmetic, vascular) and emphasized the importance of consulting a licensed healthcare provider (Figure 2).
Explore This Issue
May 2023Benefits and Drawbacks
GPTs represent an inflection point in the evolution of the internet. This latest iteration from OpenAI demonstrates remarkable language generation capability and is unique in its ability to synthesize and contextualize information based on queries. Presenting a single set of paragraphs instead of an unending list of websites in response to a question may be less intimidating to a patient looking to learn about their health.
ChatGPT also has notable limitations preventing it from being a viable resource for patient education, however. First, even when asked directly, ChatGPT is unable to present the sources from which its answers were obtained. This known problem with AI will ultimately limit ChatGPT’s utility in the healthcare space (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;160:603–611).
Further, the answers generated depend solely on the queries inputted. If a patient doesn’t think to ask about a specific feature of a disease, they may not learn about it if they only use ChatGPT. A search engine’s advantages over a GPT are two-fold: 1) They provide frequently asked follow-up questions after the initial response, and 2) They provide links to websites and articles containing more information. This enables patients to investigate further when more information is needed.
Overall, ChatGPT presents an exciting new frontier in search engines and AI. Patients of otolaryngologists may use ChatGPT to easily understand the features of a procedure or disease that pertains to them. ChatGPT is unique in its ability to summarize and contextualize text in an approachable way that may not incite health anxiety. Generative pre-trained transformers like ChatGPT may continue to grow in popularity with patients. It’s important for our colleagues in both otolaryngology and across the field of medicine to be aware of its impact on patient care.
Dr. Robert Brody is an assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the University of Pennsylvania specializing in head & neck oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery. Manan Parekh is completing his medical degree at the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine in Philadelphia and is currently a research fellow within the ORL-HNS Department at the University of Pennsylvania.
Figure 1. Screen capture of search results to the question, “What are the risks of parotidectomy?”