⚡ Quick Summary
This study evaluated the effectiveness of ChatGPT in determining whether pediatric orthopaedic symptoms require emergency or outpatient care. The findings suggest that while ChatGPT provides generally accurate and accessible responses, it should be used as a supplemental tool rather than a standalone resource.
🔍 Key Details
- 👶 Focus: Pediatric orthopaedic scenarios
- 🧠 Technology: ChatGPT, a large language model
- 🔍 Evaluation: Responses assessed by pediatric orthopaedic consultants
- 📊 Scenarios: Five common pediatric orthopaedic cases
- ⚖️ Scoring: Responses rated on a modified Likert scale
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 🤖 ChatGPT demonstrated strong diagnostic reasoning in pediatric orthopaedics.
- 📈 Scores for responses ranged from 8 to 10, indicating high accuracy.
- 🩺 Minimal clarification was needed for most responses.
- ⚠️ Inaccuracies were noted, such as inappropriate recommendations for specific conditions.
- 🌟 Potential as a supplemental tool for patient education and triage.
- 🔄 Continuous improvement is necessary for AI integration in clinical settings.
- 📚 Previous research supports the findings regarding ChatGPT’s potential and limitations.
- 👨⚕️ Human supervision remains essential when using AI in healthcare.
📚 Background
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is rapidly evolving, with large language models like ChatGPT being explored for their potential to assist in clinical decision-making. In pediatric orthopaedics, timely and accurate assessment of symptoms is crucial, as misjudgments can lead to significant consequences for young patients. This study aims to assess whether ChatGPT can effectively guide families in determining the urgency of pediatric orthopaedic symptoms.
🗒️ Study
The study involved querying ChatGPT with five common pediatric orthopaedic scenarios using a family-friendly language. Each scenario included an initial general question followed by a specific inquiry regarding the need for emergency versus outpatient care. The responses were then evaluated for accuracy, completeness, and conciseness by two independent pediatric orthopaedic consultants, utilizing a modified Likert scale for scoring.
📈 Results
ChatGPT’s performance was commendable, with scores ranging from 8 to 10 across the five scenarios. Most responses required minimal clarification, indicating a strong grasp of the subject matter. However, some inaccuracies were noted, such as the recommendation for elevation in cases of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE), which underscores the need for further refinement in AI responses.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The findings of this study highlight the potential of ChatGPT as a supplemental tool for patient education and triage in pediatric orthopaedics. By providing generally accurate and accessible information, AI can enhance the decision-making process for families. However, the occasional inaccuracies emphasize the importance of human oversight in clinical settings. As AI technology continues to advance, its integration into healthcare could lead to improved patient outcomes and more efficient care delivery.
🔮 Conclusion
This study illustrates the promising role of ChatGPT in pediatric orthopaedics, showcasing its ability to provide accurate and accessible guidance for families. While it holds significant potential as a supplemental resource, the limitations identified necessitate cautious use under human supervision. Continued advancements in AI technology may further enhance its integration into clinical practice, ultimately benefiting patient care in pediatric orthopaedics.
💬 Your comments
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Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, is increasingly studied in healthcare. This study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of the ChatGPT in guiding families on whether pediatric orthopaedic symptoms warrant emergency or outpatient care.
METHODS: Five common pediatric orthopaedic scenarios were developed, and ChatGPT was queried via a family-like language. For each scenario, two questions were asked: an initial general query and a follow-up query regarding the need for emergency versus outpatient care. ChatGPT’s responses were evaluated for accuracy by analysing medical literature and online materials, completeness, and conciseness by two independent pediatric orthopaedic consultants, using a modified Likert scale. Responses were classified from “perfect” to “poor” based on total scores.
RESULTS: ChatGPT responded to 5 different scenarios commonly encountered in pediatric orthopaedics. The scores ranged from 8 to 10, with most responses requiring minimal clarification. While ChatGPT demonstrated strong diagnostic reasoning and actionable advice, occasional inaccuracies, such as recommending elevation for SCFE, highlighted areas for improvement.
CONCLUSION: ChatGPT demonstrates potential as a supplemental tool for patient education and triage in pediatric orthopaedics, with generally accurate and accessible responses. These findings echo prior research on ChatGPT’s potential and challenges in orthopaedics, emphasizing its role as a supplemental, not standalone, resource. While its strengths in providing accurate and accessible advice are evident, its limitations necessitate further refinement and cautious use under human supervision. Continued advancements in AI may further improve its safe integration into clinical care in pediartic orthopaedics.
Author: [‘Birsel SE’, ‘Oto O’, ‘Görgün B’, ‘İnan İH’, ‘Şeker A’, ‘İnan M’]
Journal: J Orthop Surg Res
Citation: Birsel SE, et al. Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?. Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?. 2025; 20:567. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05981-z