Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in recent years, and ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, has even managed to pass the US medical licensing exam. As ChatGPT takes on the role of a virtual doctor, it’s crucial to examine its performance in diagnosing real-life medical cases and the implications for healthcare.
From misdiagnosis to improvement
A recent account by an emergency medicine physician revealed that ChatGPT, while providing several accurate diagnoses for a woman with lower abdominal pain, failed to consider ectopic pregnancy. This life-threatening omission highlights the importance of continued learning for AI systems. However, when presented with the same case later, ChatGPT successfully included ectopic pregnancy in the differential diagnosis, demonstrating its ability to learn and improve.
ChatGPT seems to favor technical language, which can be both a strength and a weakness. For example, when presented with a child with a sore throat and a red rash on the face, ChatGPT didn’t identify scarlet fever until the term “perioral sparing” was added to the description. While technical terms can help refine searches and improve accuracy, this reliance on specific language may limit its usefulness for laypeople seeking medical advice.
Prudish AI and the need for open communication
Surprisingly, ChatGPT appeared hesitant to provide a diagnosis when asked about symptoms related to sexual health, specifically after mentioning unprotected sexual intercourse. Removing this mention resulted in a correct diagnosis of gonorrhoea. This reluctance to address sensitive topics may hinder ChatGPT’s effectiveness as a virtual doctor.
In conclusion, while ChatGPT has made significant progress in medical diagnosis, there is still room for improvement. Better communication, continued learning, and a more open approach to sensitive topics are essential before it can truly be considered a reliable virtual physician.
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