ChatGPT's Potential in Enhancing Physician Efficiency: A Japanese Case Study

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 15; no. 11; p. e48235
• Main Authors: Kaneda, Yudai, Takita, Morihito, Hamaki, Tamae, Ozaki, Akihiko, Tanimoto, Tetsuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto Cureus Inc 03.11.2023; Cureus
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Blood tests; Cancer therapies; Chatbots; Edema; Health Policy; Healthcare Technology; Heart failure; Hospitalization; Hydration; Hyperthyroidism; Medical diagnosis; Other; Patient-centered care; Radiation; Surgery; Thyroid gland; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48235

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI (San Francisco, CA, USA), is making significant strides in the medical field. In a simulated case study, a 66-year-old Japanese female patient's dialogue with a physician was transcribed and inputted into ChatGPT to assess its efficacy in drafting medical records, formulating differential diagnoses, and establishing treatment plans. The results showed a high similarity between the medical summaries generated by ChatGPT and those of the attending physician. This suggests that ChatGPT has the potential to assist physicians in clinical reasoning and reduce the administrative burden, allowing them to spend more time with patients. However, there are limitations, such as the system's reliance on linguistic data and occasional inaccuracies. Despite its potential, the ethical implications of using patient data and the risk of AI replacing clinicians emphasize the need for continuous evaluation, rigorous oversight, and the establishment of comprehensive guidelines. As AI continues to integrate into healthcare, it is crucial for physicians to ensure that technology complements, rather than replaces, human expertise, with the primary focus remaining on delivering high-quality patient care.