ChatGPT and Its Role in Outpatient Departments

Background: ChatGPT is a language-based model built with a ‘super brain' containing a database with adequate medical knowledge used in diagnosis, investigations and management of diseases. Objectives: This study aims to explore the possibility of using ChatGPT as an assistive tool in outpatient clinics. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Our study targeted a population of 259 post graduate residents and consultants from reputable institutions of Punjab using convenient sampling techniques. The data collection tool was a structured questionnaire shared via google forms and distributed manually. It assessed physicians use of ChatGPT, perceived usefulness in management of patients and its role in prevention of disease and improvement of the healthcare system. Results: The responses were taken on a 5-point scale, and consisted of a greater population of female physicians 138(53.3%) as compared to males 121 (46.7%). A whopping majority of physicians found ChatGPT to be efficacious in outpatient settings (59.1%).A significant percentage of people highlighted a decrease in burn out (61%), aid in correct diagnosis (62.5%) and adequate treatment plans laid out by ChatGPT (46.7%). The responses indicated 78.4% of the participants believed that ChatGPT has a positive impact in outpatient departments Conclusion: ChatGPT shows significant potential in serving as a cognitive assistant to physicians as we inculcate it into our healthcare system. It is set to make the outpatient experience much improved for both the physicians and the patients.