ChatGPT Responses to Common Questions About Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Are Frequently Satisfactory

Lambert T Li; Margaret A Sinkler; Jeremy M Adelstein; James E Voos; Jacob G Calcei

doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2023.12.009

ChatGPT Responses to Common Questions About Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Are Frequently Satisfactory

Arthroscopy. 2024 Jan 1:S0749-8063(23)01013-7. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.12.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lambert T Li¹, Margaret A Sinkler², Jeremy M Adelstein², James E Voos², Jacob G Calcei²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.. Electronic address: Lambert.Li@uhhospitals.org.
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

PMID: 38171421
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.12.009

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate ChatGPT responses to common questions patients have regarding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: Ten frequently asked questions regarding ACL tears and ACL reconstruction were chosen from the frequently asked questions found on the websites of major institutions. These were presented to ChatGPT and responses were rated as "excellent response not requiring clarification," "satisfactory requiring minimal clarification," "satisfactory requiring moderate clarification," or "unsatisfactory requiring substantial clarification."

Results: Four responses were satisfactory, requiring minimal clarification, 3 were satisfactory, requiring moderate clarification, 2 were unsatisfactory, and 1 was excellent, requiring no clarification.

Conclusions: As hypothesized, ChatGPT provided generally accurate information to common questions around ACL reconstruction. Although clarification often was needed, responses were satisfactory for providing generalized information about ACL tears and ACL reconstruction.

Clinical relevance: ChatGPT is a promising avenue for patients to learn about general background information regarding ACL reconstruction, although questions specific to any planned operation need to be addressed directly with an orthopaedic provider.