Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?

Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, is increasingly studied in healthcare. This study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of the ChatGPT in guiding families on whether pediatric orthopaedic symptoms warrant emergency or outp...

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Main Authors: Sema Ertan Birsel, Onur Oto, Baris Görgün, İrem Hazal İnan, Ali Şeker, Muharrem İnan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05981-z
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author Sema Ertan Birsel
Onur Oto
Baris Görgün
İrem Hazal İnan
Ali Şeker
Muharrem İnan
author_facet Sema Ertan Birsel
Onur Oto
Baris Görgün
İrem Hazal İnan
Ali Şeker
Muharrem İnan
author_sort Sema Ertan Birsel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, is increasingly studied in healthcare. This study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of the ChatGPT in guiding families on whether pediatric orthopaedic symptoms warrant emergency or outpatient care. Methods Five common pediatric orthopaedic scenarios were developed, and ChatGPT was queried via a family-like language. For each scenario, two questions were asked: an initial general query and a follow-up query regarding the need for emergency versus outpatient care. ChatGPT’s responses were evaluated for accuracy by analysing medical literature and online materials, completeness, and conciseness by two independent pediatric orthopaedic consultants, using a modified Likert scale. Responses were classified from “perfect” to “poor” based on total scores. Results ChatGPT responded to 5 different scenarios commonly encountered in pediatric orthopaedics. The scores ranged from 8 to 10, with most responses requiring minimal clarification. While ChatGPT demonstrated strong diagnostic reasoning and actionable advice, occasional inaccuracies, such as recommending elevation for SCFE, highlighted areas for improvement. Conclusion ChatGPT demonstrates potential as a supplemental tool for patient education and triage in pediatric orthopaedics, with generally accurate and accessible responses. These findings echo prior research on ChatGPT’s potential and challenges in orthopaedics, emphasizing its role as a supplemental, not standalone, resource. While its strengths in providing accurate and accessible advice are evident, its limitations necessitate further refinement and cautious use under human supervision. Continued advancements in AI may further improve its safe integration into clinical care in pediartic orthopaedics.
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spelling doaj-art-24c920587c6c46cd8d2ac88da989bbe72025-08-20T03:26:47ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-06-012011610.1186/s13018-025-05981-zIs it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?Sema Ertan Birsel0Onur Oto1Baris Görgün2İrem Hazal İnan3Ali Şeker4Muharrem İnan5Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ortopediatri Academy of Pediatric OtrhopaedicsDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ortopediatri Academy of Pediatric OtrhopaedicsDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ortopediatri Academy of Pediatric OtrhopaedicsFaculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar UniversityCerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Istanbul University- CerrahpasaDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ortopediatri Academy of Pediatric OtrhopaedicsAbstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, is increasingly studied in healthcare. This study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of the ChatGPT in guiding families on whether pediatric orthopaedic symptoms warrant emergency or outpatient care. Methods Five common pediatric orthopaedic scenarios were developed, and ChatGPT was queried via a family-like language. For each scenario, two questions were asked: an initial general query and a follow-up query regarding the need for emergency versus outpatient care. ChatGPT’s responses were evaluated for accuracy by analysing medical literature and online materials, completeness, and conciseness by two independent pediatric orthopaedic consultants, using a modified Likert scale. Responses were classified from “perfect” to “poor” based on total scores. Results ChatGPT responded to 5 different scenarios commonly encountered in pediatric orthopaedics. The scores ranged from 8 to 10, with most responses requiring minimal clarification. While ChatGPT demonstrated strong diagnostic reasoning and actionable advice, occasional inaccuracies, such as recommending elevation for SCFE, highlighted areas for improvement. Conclusion ChatGPT demonstrates potential as a supplemental tool for patient education and triage in pediatric orthopaedics, with generally accurate and accessible responses. These findings echo prior research on ChatGPT’s potential and challenges in orthopaedics, emphasizing its role as a supplemental, not standalone, resource. While its strengths in providing accurate and accessible advice are evident, its limitations necessitate further refinement and cautious use under human supervision. Continued advancements in AI may further improve its safe integration into clinical care in pediartic orthopaedics.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05981-zArtificial intelligencePediatric orthopaedicsChatGPT
spellingShingle Sema Ertan Birsel
Onur Oto
Baris Görgün
İrem Hazal İnan
Ali Şeker
Muharrem İnan
Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Artificial intelligence
Pediatric orthopaedics
ChatGPT
title Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
title_full Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
title_fullStr Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
title_full_unstemmed Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
title_short Is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not? Can ChatGPT answer this question?
title_sort is it a pediatric orthopaedic urgency or not can chatgpt answer this question
topic Artificial intelligence
Pediatric orthopaedics
ChatGPT
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05981-z
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