ChatGPT in Medicine: STAT Answers Readers’ Burning Questions About AI
Stat News | By Lizzy Lawrence, Mohana Ravindranath and Brittany Trang
Artificial intelligence is often described as a black box: an unknowable, mysterious force that operates inside the critical world of health care. If it’s hard for experts to wrap their heads around at times, it’s almost impossible for patients or the general public to grasp.
While AI-powered tools like ChatGPT are swiftly gaining steam in medicine, patients rarely have any say — or even any insight — into how these powerful technologies are being used in their own care.
To get a handle on the most pressing concerns among patients, STAT asked our readers what they most wanted to know about generative AI’s use in medicine. Their submissions ranged from fundamental questions about how the technology works to concerns about bias and error creeping further into our health systems.
It’s clear that the potential of large language models, which are trained on massive amounts of data and can generate answers to myriad prompts, is vast. It goes beyond ChatGPT and the ability for humans and AI to talk to each other. AI tools can help doctors predict medical harm on a broader scale, leading to better patient outcomes. They’re currently being used for medical note-taking, and analysis of X-rays and mammograms. Health tech companies are eager to tout their AI-powered algorithms at every turn.
But the harm is equally vast as long as AI tools go unregulated. Inaccurate, biased training data deepen health disparities. Algorithms not properly vetted deliver incorrect information on patients in critical condition. And insurers use AI algorithms to cut off care for patients before they’re fully recovered.
When it comes to generative artificial intelligence, there are certainly more questions than answers right now. STAT asked experts in the field to tackle some of our reader’s thoughtful questions, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of AI.
As a patient, how can I best avoid any product, service or company using generative AI? I want absolutely nothing to do with it. Is my quest to avoid it hopeless?
Experts agreed that avoiding generative AI entirely would be very, very difficult. At the moment, there aren’t laws governing how it’s used, nor explicit regulations forcing health companies to disclose that they’re using it.
“Without being too alarmist, the window where everyone has the ability to completely avoid this technology is likely closing,” John Kirchenbauer, a Ph.D. student researching machine learning and natural language processing at the University of Maryland, told STAT. Companies are already exploring using generative AI to handle simple customer service requests or frequently asked questions, and health providers are likely looking to the technology to automate some communication with patients, said Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, managing director of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
But there are steps patients can take to at least ensure they’re informed when providers or insurers are using it.
Despite a lack of clear limits on the use of generative AI, regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission “will not look kindly if patients are surprised by the use of automated systems,” so providers will likely start proactively disclosing if they’re incorporating generative AI into their messaging systems, Zweifel-Keegan said.
“If you have concerns about generative AI, look out for these disclosures and always feel empowered to ask questions of your provider,” Zweifel-Keegan said, adding that patients can report any concerning practices to their state attorney general, the FTC and the Department of Health and Human Services.
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U.S. National Survey Data Show High Rates of New Cases and Persistence of Chronic Pain
National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health
New cases of chronic pain occur more often among U.S. adults than new cases of several other common conditions, including diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. Among people who have chronic pain, almost two-thirds will still have it the following year. These findings come from a new analysis of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data by investigators from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and University of Washington, published in JAMA Network Open.
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APTA Glenohumeral Joint OA Clinical Practice Guideline Now Available
APTA
The Message
Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants now have the first clinical practice guideline designed specifically for the profession on the management of individuals with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, or GHOA, and those undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty, or TSA. The CPG, developed by APTA, is the product of a volunteer guideline development group consisting of member PTs from APTA and its sections and academies. Representatives from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation also provided perspectives during the development of the resource. Additionally, members of the public who had GHOA or TSA (or both) were invited to provide input on the draft.
The new CPG focuses on nonoperative, preoperative, and postoperative management of adults with GHOA, including both those who do and don't undergo TSA. The guidelines aren't intended for management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, or those with TSA revision or partial or reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
The CPG is published in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, APTA's scientific journal. PTJ's contents are available for free as an APTA member benefit.
The Study
The guideline development group evaluated 161 research articles (culled from 1,756 abstracts), ultimately focusing on seven articles that support five recommendations related to diagnosis and postoperative management. The final CPG also includes five "best practice statement" recommendations based on the development group's "discussion of theory, experience treating patients, patient values and preferences, and other evidence sources." In addition to quality of evidence supporting the recommendations, all guidance was evaluated in terms of benefits, risks, harms, emotional and physical impact, and cost.
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Stroke Rehab: Four Insights From PTJ
From a study of upper-limb approaches to interviews with PTs on how they motivate patients, PTJ sheds light on an important area of care.
Roundup
Rehabilitation for individuals who have experienced stroke may be a common part of the day-to-day work of many PTs and PTAs, but there's always more to learn. PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal remains a solid go-to for the profession to gain insights on opportunities — and possibilities.
And as with all other PTJ content, members have full-text access to this research for free as a member benefit.
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