Increasing the Efficiency of the Use of Patient Information Leaflets by Using Retrieval Augmented Generation

This paper introduces a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system specifically designed for enhancing the accessibility and comprehension of medical information from patient information leaflets documents. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), vector embeddings, hybrid search mechanisms combining semantic and full-text search, and Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-3.5 turbo, the system efficiently processes and responds to natural language queries. By integrating these components into a cohesive architecture, the RAG system facilitates accurate retrieval of medical data and generates responses that are not only precise but also formatted to be easily understood by laypersons. The effectiveness of the RAG system was evaluated through a series of real-world case studies, which demonstrated its ability to provide reliable, contextually relevant medical advice, thereby significantly improving users' access to essential health information. Insights gained from these studies indicate critical areas for future enhancement, particularly in user interaction and system feedback integration. This work underscores the potential of advanced AI tools to transform information accessibility in healthcare, making critical medical information more approachable for the public.