ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot released by OpenAI in December 2022, is gaining popularity in virtually every industry, including healthcare. But experts express caution, saying ChatGPT should never be used to replace the care of a healthcare provider.
As any Google search will show, searching for medical information online is not new. But the problem with normal search engines is that users have to click on links and read them to get answers. With ChatGPT, information is presented directly to the user in conversational form. Furthermore, the chatbot is trained with information up to September 2021. Thus, it is important to vet the information given by ChatGPT with a doctor, as some of the information could be inaccurate.
In healthcare, ChatGPT could be used to simplify processes like scheduling appointments and refilling prescriptions, as well as providing information about medications. For instance, the chatbot can provide information about the intended uses, side effects, drug interactions, and storage of medications.
However, ChatGPT cannot replace the role of a provider, as it does not have the capacity for empathy and nuanced conversations the same way a human would. It is also not qualified to make medical recommendations for serious issues, such as whether or not a person should take a certain medication. Therefore, ChatGPT should not be used as an interim support.
OpenAI has warned users not to use its platforms for medical instruction, as well as treating or managing life-threatening issues. If healthcare providers use ChatGPT, they should also provide a disclaimer to users to inform them that they are interacting with an AI model and its limitations.
OpenAI is the company behind ChatGPT. Founded by some of the world’s leading minds in machine learning, OpenAI is a nonprofit organization committed to research in the field of artificial intelligence. It aims to safely advance the development of AI so that it can be used to benefit humanity and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Dr. Justin Norden is an adjunct professor at Stanford University, a leading expert in digital health and AI. He believes that ChatGPT has the potential to reduce the burden of non-clinical tasks for healthcare systems. However, he cautions that ChatGPT should be carefully deployed and there should be a mechanism for transitioning people to human conversation if the chatbot is about to fail.
Dr. Daniel Khashabi, a computer science professor at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, has also expressed concern that people relying on conversational chatbots may be exposed to inaccurate and potentially dangerous information. He advises that chatbots should be used with care.
Overall, ChatGPT has potential to revolutionize the patient experience by providing fast and accurate information. But it should be used with caution and with the understanding that it should not be used to replace professional medical care.
