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Quality and Accountability of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Healthcare in Low- And Middle-Income Countries (LMIC): A Simulated Patient Study Using ChatGPT

Author

Listed:
  • Si, Yafei

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Yang, Yuyi

    (Washington University, St. Louis)

  • Wang, Xi

    (Washington University, St. Louis)

  • An, Ruopeng

    (Washington University, St. Louis)

  • Zu, Jiaqi

    (Duke Kunshan University)

  • Chen, Xi

    (Yale University)

  • Fan, Xiaojing

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Gong, Sen

    (Zhejiang University)

Abstract

Using simulated patients to mimic nine established non-communicable and infectious diseases over 27 trials, we assess ChatGPT's effectiveness and reliability in diagnosing and treating common diseases in low- and middle-income countries. We find ChatGPT's performance varied within a single disease, despite a high level of accuracy in both correct diagnosis (74.1%) and medication prescription (84.5%). Additionally, ChatGPT recommended a concerning level of unnecessary or harmful medications (85.2%) even with correct diagnoses. Finally, ChatGPT performed better in managing non-communicable diseases compared to infectious ones. These results highlight the need for cautious AI integration in healthcare systems to ensure quality and safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Si, Yafei & Yang, Yuyi & Wang, Xi & An, Ruopeng & Zu, Jiaqi & Chen, Xi & Fan, Xiaojing & Gong, Sen, 2024. "Quality and Accountability of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Healthcare in Low- And Middle-Income Countries (LMIC): A Simulated Patient Study Using ChatGPT," IZA Discussion Papers 17204, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17204
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    Keywords

    healthcare; simulated patient; generative AI; Large Language Models; ChatGPT; quality; safety; low- and middle-income countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C0 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General

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