ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) language model that can process text-based requests and generate human-like responses. A language model analyses text data and works out the probability of a sequence of words occurring in a sentence. Continuous feedback from users of ChatGPT can help the AI learn the ability to follow directions and generate responses that meet the needs of a user. With this exciting innovation and the challenges both clinicians and patients face within Physiotherapy, we will explore how ChatGPT can potentially address these challenges.
1. Personalised treatment plans
ChatGPT could be used to create personalised treatment plans for patients. Using ChatGPT, a personalised treatment plan could be generated based on a patient’s presenting complaint, past medical history and functional goals. This could be especially useful for patients with complex presentations. Based on the presenting complaint of a patient, a ChatGPT system could recommend a specific intervention or combination of interventions most likely to be effective for that patient. This system could help reduce the risk of complications and ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs. Additionally, a personalised treatment plan generated by ChatGPT can reduce the time patients spend waiting to receive treatment from a clinician and simultaneously save clinicians’ time conceptualizing, creating and delivering treatment plans to patients.
2. Provide ongoing patient education
ChatGPT may significantly improve how patients engage with Physiotherapy by providing longitudinal education for patients when they need it without delay. ChatGPT could be programmed to operate as an educational assistant that delivers personalised recommendations and advice to patients based on a patient’s complaint and their initial treatment plan. For example, an educational assistant could suggest slight changes to an exercise programme and acute pain management strategies after a patient reports a pain flare-up of knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Such education assistants could be made available to patients through websites, mobile applications, or even voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. Rural patients and those with limited access to see a Physiotherapist may find this assistance useful as they can get personalised recommendations regarding their care almost instantly without having to physically see a Physiotherapist. Again, the added benefit of an educational assistant is the protection of clinicians’ time and increased appointment availability.
3. Automation of routine tasks
Saved time is the recurring theme when we look at the potential benefits of ChatGPT within Physiotherapy. Perhaps the most time can be saved if we automate the routine and cumulatively time-consuming tasks. ChatGPT could be the answer to this issue by helping Physiotherapists with tasks such as transcribing medical records, and generating referral letters and discharge letters. By definition, automation involves creating a process that uses a device to complete a task without the need for human labour. By using ChatGPT to automate such tasks, Physiotherapists could save time and dedicate more time to each patient interaction as well as reduce the prevalence of burnout amongst clinicians. Another important benefit of automation is the reduced risk of recall errors within patients’ records as there is no input from a clinician during the process of recording patient data and therefore eliminates the risk of human error.
The advent of ChatGPT and its potential use within Physiotherapy appears to be promising but is not without its drawbacks. At a time when a patient may be vulnerable, would they be comfortable with AI involved in their care? Would ChatGPT be cost-effective for different outcomes within Physiotherapy in the future? How secure is the data storage to protect patient privacy? Comment below if you have any thoughts on this interesting topic.