Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Augmenting Large Language Models via Vector Embeddings to Improve Domain-Specific Responsiveness
Published on: December 6, 2024
Assessing unknown potential-quality and limitations of different large language models in the field of
Christoph R Buhr1,2, Harry Smith3, Tilman Huppertz1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Background:
Large Language Models (LLMs) might offer a solution for the lack of trained health personnel, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, their strengths and weaknesses remain unclear.
Aims/Objectives:
Here we benchmark different LLMs (Bard 2023.07.13, Claude 2, ChatGPT 4) against six consultants in otorhinolaryngology (ORL).
Material And Methods:
Case-based questions were extracted from literature and German state examinations. Answers from Bard 2023.07.13, Claude 2, ChatGPT 4, and six ORL consultants were rated blindly on a 6-point Likert-scale for medical adequacy, comprehensibility, coherence, and conciseness. Given answers were compared to validated answers and evaluated for hazards. A modified Turing test was performed and character counts were compared.
Results:
LLMs answers ranked inferior to consultants in all categories. Yet, the difference between consultants and LLMs was marginal, with the clearest disparity in conciseness and the smallest in comprehensibility. Among LLMs Claude 2 was rated best in medical adequacy and conciseness. Consultants' answers matched the validated solution in 93% (228/246), ChatGPT 4 in 85% (35/41), Claude 2 in 78% (32/41), and Bard 2023.07.13 in 59% (24/41). Answers were rated as potentially hazardous in 10% (24/246) for ChatGPT 4, 14% (34/246) for Claude 2, 19% (46/264) for Bard 2023.07.13, and 6% (71/1230) for consultants.
Conclusions And Significance:
Despite consultants superior performance, LLMs show potential for clinical application in ORL. Future studies should assess their performance on larger scale.
