Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39534227›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in medicine2024

Large language models in patient education: a scoping review of applications in medicine.

Serhat Aydin, Mert Karabacak, Victoria Vlachos, Konstantinos Margetis

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in medicine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 153 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
153citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–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

153 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  20. Comparison of responses from google and large language models to the top frequently asked questions on lumbar spinal stenosis: an evaluation of accuracy and completeness.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

93 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

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

4 authors.

Serhat AydinSchool of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Mert KarabacakDepartment of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States.
Victoria VlachosCollege of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Konstantinos MargetisDepartment of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Large Language Models (LLMs) are sophisticated algorithms that analyze and generate vast amounts of textual data, mimicking human communication. Notable LLMs include GPT-4o by Open AI, Claude 3.5 Sonnet by Anthropic, and Gemini by Google. This scoping review aims to synthesize the current applications and potential uses of LLMs in patient education and engagement. Materials and methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR checklist and methodologies by Arksey, O'Malley, and Levac, we conducted a scoping review. We searched PubMed in June 2024, using keywords and MeSH terms related to LLMs and patient education. Two authors conducted the initial screening, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. We employed thematic analysis to address our primary research question. Results: The review identified 201 studies, predominantly from the United States (58.2%). Six themes emerged: generating patient education materials, interpreting medical information, providing lifestyle recommendations, supporting customized medication use, offering perioperative care instructions, and optimizing doctor-patient interaction. LLMs were found to provide accurate responses to patient queries, enhance existing educational materials, and translate medical information into patient-friendly language. However, challenges such as readability, accuracy, and potential biases were noted. Discussion: LLMs demonstrate significant potential in patient education and engagement by creating accessible educational materials, interpreting complex medical information, and enhancing communication between patients and healthcare providers. Nonetheless, issues related to the accuracy and readability of LLM-generated content, as well as ethical concerns, require further research and development. Future studies should focus on improving LLMs and ensuring content reliability while addressing ethical considerations.

Indexed as

artificial intelligenceChatGPTdeep learninglarge language modelsmachine learningpatient education

Identifiers

PMID39534227
PMCPMC11554522

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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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.