When Machines Do the Work: What ChatGPT Could Mean for Oncology

Since the industrial revolution, machines have played a crucial role in changing the way we work and live. From automated textile mills to assembly line production, machines have helped to increase efficiency, lower costs, and improve productivity. The advent of computers and artificial intelligence has further revolutionized industries, leading to even greater levels of automation and optimization.

With the development of language models, like ChatGPT, machines have the promise to assist doctors and healthcare professionals to lower costs, increase efficiency, and improve productivity. ChatGPT is conversational – with a huge caveat that it’s still a machine, trained by humans, and subject to potentially catastrophic errors, much the same as human errors. In the day of resource scarcity, physician shortages, employee burnout, and many other factors that are not going away, services built on the ChatGPT engine could deliver a range of benefits – from improved accuracy and efficiency to enhanced patient outcomes with minimal costs.

Doximity this week launched DocsGPT, which is essentially a preconfigured instantiation that provides templates for everything – from insurance denial appeals through residency program rejection letters!

With an open mind to how this might be used, here are five examples of how this technology might be applied to oncology – and while these can be tried today, extreme caution should be considered before operationalizing any of these:

1. Diagnosis: ChatGPT might assist in the diagnosis of cancer by analyzing patient data, such as medical history, family history, symptoms, and test results. This can help to identify potential cancer cases earlier, allowing for earlier treatment and better outcomes.
2. Treatment planning: Once a cancer diagnosis is made, ChatGPT might help doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan. By analyzing patient data and considering factors such as age, overall health, and cancer stage, ChatGPT might help doctors to determine the best course of treatment for each patient.
3. Therapy management: During cancer treatment, ChatGPT might help to manage side effects and monitor patient progress. By tracking patient symptoms and responses to treatment, ChatGPT might help doctors to adjust treatment plans as needed.
4. Patient education: ChatGPT might also be used to educate patients about their cancer diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect during treatment. By providing information in a clear and conversational manner, ChatGPT might help patients to make informed decisions about their care.
5. Post-treatment care: After treatment is complete, ChatGPT might help to monitor patients for any signs of recurrence or other health issues. By tracking patient data and providing ongoing support, ChatGPT might help to ensure that patients continue to receive the care they need to stay healthy.

Overall, ChatGPT offers the potential range of benefits for cancer patients and healthcare professionals. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and natural language processing, ChatGPT might help to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of care. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even greater advances in the field of medical AI, leading to new and innovative ways to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases.