Clinical Report: Can Chatbots Be Used for Keratoconus Patient Education?

Overview

This study evaluates the effectiveness of chatbots in providing patient education on keratoconus compared to traditional resources. Results indicate that chatbots, particularly Bard, offer higher understandability and actionability than the American Academy of Ophthalmology website.

Background

Keratoconus is a leading indication for scleral lens fitting, which can improve vision and reduce the need for corneal transplants. As patient education is crucial for managing this condition, the exploration of chatbots as educational tools is timely. Understanding the effectiveness of these AI resources can enhance patient awareness and potentially alleviate the burden on healthcare providers.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the article.

Key Findings

• Bard scored significantly higher than ChatGPT-3.5, Copilot, and the AAO website on the SOLO taxonomy and PEMAT-Understandability.
• ChatGPT and Bard outperformed the AAO website in understandability and actionability.
• The AAO website had a higher Flesch Reading Ease score compared to Bard.
• Chatbots may provide accurate and actionable information for keratoconus patients under clinician supervision.
• The use of chatbots could reduce the educational burden on healthcare systems.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers may consider integrating chatbot technology into patient education strategies for keratoconus. This approach could enhance patient understanding and engagement while allowing clinicians to focus on more complex patient needs.

Conclusion

Chatbots demonstrate potential as effective educational tools for keratoconus patients, warranting further exploration and integration into clinical practice.

References

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