Ethics of ChatGPT in Medicine and Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review

Core Concepts

Large Language Models (LLMs) in healthcare present benefits but also raise ethical concerns, necessitating human oversight and validation.

Abstract

Introduction: Discusses the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) in healthcare. Methods: Outlines the research methodology used to analyze LLM applications. Results: Highlights various applications of LLMs in healthcare and the ethical concerns associated with them. Discussion: Emphasizes the need for human oversight and validation in using LLMs in healthcare. Conclusion: Addresses the ethical considerations and limitations of using LLMs in healthcare.

Stats

Studies were screened following a modified rapid review approach, generating 796 records. For 53 records, a meta-aggregative synthesis was performed.

Quotes

"Despite their potential benefits, researchers have underscored various ethical implications." - Haltaufderheide & Ranisch

Key Insights Distilled From

The Ethics of ChatGPT in Medicine and Healthcare

by Joschka Halt... at arxiv.org 03-22-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.14473.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

What are the potential risks associated with biases in Large Language Models?

Biases in Large Language Models (LLMs) can lead to various risks, especially in healthcare settings. Some of the potential risks include: Unfair Treatment: Biased LLMs may result in unfair treatment of certain groups, leading to disparities in access to healthcare services and exacerbating existing inequalities. Harmful Outcomes: Biases can cause LLMs to provide inaccurate or misleading information, which could have severe consequences for patient outcomes and clinical decision-making. Privacy Concerns: Biased LLMs may inadvertently reveal sensitive health information or compromise patient privacy, violating ethical standards and regulations. Reinforcement of Stereotypes: Biases in LLMs can perpetuate harmful stereotypes related to gender, race, ethnicity, or other demographic factors, potentially influencing medical decisions based on these stereotypes. Lack of Transparency: Biases can make it challenging to understand how LLMs arrive at their conclusions, leading to a lack of transparency that undermines trust in the technology and its outputs.

How can human oversight be effectively implemented to mitigate misinformation from LLMs?

Human oversight is crucial for mitigating misinformation from Large Language Models (LLMs) in healthcare applications. Here are some strategies for effective implementation: Continuous Monitoring: Establish processes for continuous monitoring of LLM outputs by human experts who can identify inaccuracies or biases promptly. Validation Protocols: Develop validation protocols where all information generated by an LLM undergoes rigorous verification by qualified professionals before being used for decision-making. Interpretation Checks: Ensure that there is a mechanism for interpreting complex results generated by LLMs accurately and verifying their clinical relevance before acting upon them. Ethical Review Boards: Involve multidisciplinary ethical review boards comprising clinicians, ethicists, data scientists, and patients to assess the ethical implications of using LMM-generated information. Training Programs: Provide training programs for healthcare professionals on how to interpret and critically evaluate outputs from LMMs effectively.

How can the ethical discourse surrounding LLMs be reframed to address diverse healthcare settings?

To reframe the ethical discourse surrounding Large Language Models (LLMs) and address diverse healthcare settings effectively: Emphasize Contextual Considerations: Acknowledge that different healthcare settings have unique challenges and requirements when integrating AI technologies like LMMs; tailor ethical guidelines accordingly. 2.. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Involve a diverse range of stakeholders—patients, clinicians across specialties, researchers—in shaping ethical guidelines around the use of LLMS 3.. Ethical Impact Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of potential impacts—including social, ethical,and legal considerations—before deploying LLMs within specific healthcare contexts 4.. Continuous Evaluation: Implement mechanisms for ongoing evaluationand feedback collectionto ensurethatethicalguidelinesremainrelevantandeffectiveacrossdiversehealthcaresettings 5.. Transparent Communication: Foster transparent communication aboutthe benefits,risk,and limitationsassociatedwithusing LLMSinhealthcaresettings,toensuretrustandaccountability