Commentary by Pisana Ferrari
There is a huge amount of hype at the present moment around “ChatGPT”, a natural language processing model developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT interacts in a conversational way and replies to questions from users by tapping into the gigantic amounts of data, vocabulary and information that has been “fed” into it by its programmers. It is said to have “encyclopedic knowledge”.
ChatGPT’s disruptive potential is such that in education, for example, it is forcing educators to rethink tests and assessments as the technology opens the door to widespread cheating. Some schools are banning the tool’s use and others educational institutions are thinking of going back to “pen and paper” tests and introducing stricter cheating detection measures.
How useful can ChatGPT be in health care?
Bernard Marr, author of a recent article in Forbes titled “Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Top 14 Uses Of ChatGPT In Medicine And Wellness”, published on March 2, 2023, claims that ChatGPT has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance overall health and wellness experiences.
Marr lists all the different fields in which ChatGPT could play a role, many of which are likely to be very controversial…). These include:
- Develop a virtual assistant to help patients schedule appointments, receive treatment, and manage their health information.
- Provide real-time, evidence-based recommendations to healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes
- Medical recordkeeping: generate automated summaries of patient interactions and medical histories.
- Provide real-time translation services to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers.
- Self-management: help patients keep track of their medications and follow dosage instructions
- Remote monitoring: analyzing data from wearables, sensors, and other monitoring devices, providing real-time insights into a patient’s health status.
An interesting article which stimulates reflection and debate, a good topic for a future webinar. Read more at this link on the Forbes news website. Thanks to Mike Knaepen for sharing it on his LinkedIn page
How trustworthy can ChatGPT be in healthcare?
I decide to ask ChatGPT itself, here is an interesting reply!
Quote: “As an AI language model, I can provide general information and guidance on various healthcare topics. However, I am not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a licensed healthcare provider. It’s important to consult a qualified healthcare professional for any specific questions or concerns related to your health. While I can offer information on medical topics, I cannot replace the expertise and knowledge of a licensed healthcare professional. In summary, you can trust ChatGPT to provide general information and guidance on healthcare topics, but it’s essential to seek professional medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider for any specific questions or concerns related to your health”. Unquote
Photo credit: Emiliano Vittoriosi at Unsplash