Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38706800›Full record

ArticleBrain & spine2024

Are large language models valid tools for patient information on lumbar disc herniation? The spine surgeons' perspective.

Siegmund Lang, Jacopo Vitale, Tamás F Fekete, Daniel Haschtmann, Raluca Reitmeir, Mario Ropelato, Jani Puhakka, Fabio Galbusera, Markus Loibl

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Brain & spine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Are large language models such as ChatGPT, capable of supporting patients and general practitioners after spine surgery?European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
  5. Large language models in spine care and research.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Application and efficacy of artificial intelligence in patient education on spinal cord injuries.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Siegmund LangDepartment of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Jacopo VitaleSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Tamás F FeketeSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Daniel HaschtmannSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Raluca ReitmeirSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Mario RopelatoSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Jani PuhakkaSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Fabio GalbuseraSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.
Markus LoiblSpine Center, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Generative AI is revolutionizing patient education in healthcare, particularly through chatbots that offer personalized, clear medical information. Reliability and accuracy are vital in AI-driven patient education. Research question: How effective are Large Language Models (LLM), such as ChatGPT and Google Bard, in delivering accurate and understandable patient education on lumbar disc herniation? Material and methods: Ten Frequently Asked Questions about lumbar disc herniation were selected from 133 questions and were submitted to three LLMs. Six experienced spine surgeons rated the responses on a scale from "excellent" to "unsatisfactory," and evaluated the answers for exhaustiveness, clarity, empathy, and length. Statistical analysis involved Fleiss Kappa, Chi-square, and Friedman tests. Results: Out of the responses, 27.2% were excellent, 43.9% satisfactory with minimal clarification, 18.3% satisfactory with moderate clarification, and 10.6% unsatisfactory. There were no significant differences in overall ratings among the LLMs (p = 0.90); however, inter-rater reliability was not achieved, and large differences among raters were detected in the distribution of answer frequencies. Overall, ratings varied among the 10 answers (p = 0.043). The average ratings for exhaustiveness, clarity, empathy, and length were above 3.5/5. Discussion and conclusion: LLMs show potential in patient education for lumbar spine surgery, with generally positive feedback from evaluators. The new EU AI Act, enforcing strict regulation on AI systems, highlights the need for rigorous oversight in medical contexts. In the current study, the variability in evaluations and occasional inaccuracies underline the need for continuous improvement. Future research should involve more advanced models to enhance patient-physician communication.

Indexed as

AI evaluationChatGPTGoogle bardLarge language modelsLumbar disc herniationPatient education

Identifiers

PMID38706800
PMCPMC11067000

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.