Delayed diagnosis of a transient ischemic attack caused by ChatGPT
Jonathan A Saenger1,2, Jonathan Hunger3, Andreas Boss4,5
1Diagnostic and interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. jonathan.saenger@usz.ch.
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|February 2, 2024
Summary
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools offer diagnostic support but carry risks. An erroneous ChatGPT diagnosis led to delayed treatment, highlighting dangers of using AI not designed for medical decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
- Clinical Decision Support
Background:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into patient care, aiding in diagnosis and workflow optimization.
- However, AI algorithms can be opaque ('black boxes') and prone to errors, posing risks in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case study illustrating the risks of relying on AI tools for medical diagnosis.
- To emphasize the potential for significant treatment delays and adverse patient outcomes due to erroneous AI-generated information.
Main Methods:
- Case report analysis of a patient who received an incorrect diagnosis from ChatGPT.
- Review of the clinical implications and treatment delay resulting from reliance on the AI diagnosis.
Main Results:
- An erroneous ChatGPT diagnosis caused a patient to delay seeking appropriate medical evaluation.
- This delay led to a significantly prolonged treatment timeline and a potentially life-threatening situation.
Conclusions:
- AI tools not specifically validated for medical decision-making pose inherent risks in patient care.
- Healthcare professionals and patients must exercise caution and critical judgment when using general AI applications for medical advice.
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