ChatGPT as a source of health information in Asia - benefits, drawbacks and recommendations: A systematic literature review and thematic analysis

ChatGPT is increasingly used by patients as a source of health-related information, even surpassing traditional search engines.In diverse Asian societies, deep-rooted differences in cultural and political landscapes significantly influence the portrayal of Artificial Intelligence (AI).However, systematic reviews on 'the health information-seeking by Asians using AI' are limited.Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the role of ChatGPT as a source of health information among Asians, significantly the perceived benefits and drawbacks of using ChatGPT as a source of health information for Asians, and the perceived recommendations for enhancing the use of ChatGPT as a source of health information among Asians.A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).Initially, 210 research papers were retrieved and of it, 17 research papers published in the English language in 13 Asian countries during 2023 to February 2025 were selected from prominent publishing databases such as Taylor and Francis, Elsevier, Science Direct, Sage, and Springer, based on specified inclusion and exclusion criteria.After a thematic analysis, it was recognized 8 perceived benefits, 11 perceived drawbacks of using ChatGPT for health information-seeking by Asians, and 7 perceived recommendations for enhancing the use of ChatGPT for health information-seeking in Asian countries.Further, the findings of the study contribute to identifying the potentiality o f using ChatGPT to increase health literacy among Asians.Moreover, the study suggests recommendations to bridge the digital divide in health information access in Asian countries, which contribute to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring health and well-being for all ages and genders.