Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40229819›Full record

ArticleBMC medical informatics and decision making2025

Comparative evaluation of artificial intelligence models GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 in clinical decision-making in sports surgery and physiotherapy: a cross-sectional study.

Sönmez Saglam, Veysel Uludag, Zekeriya Okan Karaduman, Mehmet Arıcan, Mücahid Osman Yücel, Raşit Emin Dalaslan

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical informatics and decision making, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 1 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

11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. ChatGPT in precision medicine.APL bioengineering · 2026
    Review
  7. Article
  8. Observational
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. 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

6 authors.

Sönmez SaglamDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Türkiye. dr.sonmezsaglam@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-2651-8003
Veysel UludagDepartment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Duzce University, Duzce, Türkiye.
Zekeriya Okan KaradumanDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Türkiye.
Mehmet ArıcanDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Türkiye.
Mücahid Osman YücelDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Türkiye.
Raşit Emin DalaslanDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Türkiye.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has rapidly expanded, particularly in clinical decision-making. Large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 have shown potential in various medical applications, including diagnostics and treatment planning. However, their efficacy in specialized fields like sports surgery and physiotherapy remains underexplored. This study aims to compare the performance of GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 in clinical decision-making within these domains using a structured assessment approach.

methodsThis cross-sectional study included 56 professionals specializing in sports surgery and physiotherapy. Participants evaluated 10 standardized clinical scenarios generated by GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 using a 5-point Likert scale. The scenarios encompassed common musculoskeletal conditions, and assessments focused on diagnostic accuracy, treatment appropriateness, surgical technique detailing, and rehabilitation plan suitability. Data were collected anonymously via Google Forms. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests for direct model comparisons, one-way ANOVA to assess performance across multiple criteria, and Cronbach's alpha to evaluate inter-rater reliability.

resultsGPT-4 significantly outperformed GPT-3.5 across all evaluated criteria. Paired t-test results (t(55) = 10.45, p < 0.001) demonstrated that GPT-4 provided more accurate diagnoses, superior treatment plans, and more detailed surgical recommendations. ANOVA results confirmed the higher suitability of GPT-4 in treatment planning (F(1, 55) = 35.22, p < 0.001) and rehabilitation protocols (F(1, 55) = 32.10, p < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha values indicated higher internal consistency for GPT-4 (α = 0.478) compared to GPT-3.5 (α = 0.234), reflecting more reliable performance.

conclusionsGPT-4 demonstrates superior performance compared to GPT-3.5 in clinical decision-making for sports surgery and physiotherapy. These findings suggest that advanced AI models can aid in diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and rehabilitation strategies. However, AI should function as a decision-support tool rather than a substitute for expert clinical judgment. Future studies should explore the integration of AI into real-world clinical workflows, validate findings using larger datasets, and compare additional AI models beyond the GPT series.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceClinical Decision-MakingPhysical Therapy ModalitiesSportsAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedArtificial intelligenceClinical decision-makingLarge language modelsMusculoskeletal disordersPhysiotherapyRehabilitationSports surgery

Identifiers

PMID40229819
PMCPMC11998439

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.