Real-world utility of ChatGPT in pre-vasectomy counselling, a safe and efficient practice: a prospective single-centre clinical study.

Abstract

This study sought to assess if pre-vasectomy counselling with ChatGPT can safely streamline the consultation process by reducing visit times and increasing patient satisfaction. A single-institution randomized pilot study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ChatGPT for pre-vasectomy counselling. All adult patients interested in undergoing a vasectomy were included. Unwillingness to provide consent or not having internet access constituted exclusion. Patients were randomized 1:1 to ChatGPT with standard in-person or in-person consultation without ChatGPT. Length of visit, number of questions asked, and a Likert scale questionnaire (on a scale of 10, with 10 being defined as great and 0 being defined as poor), were collected. Descriptive statistics and a comparative analysis were performed. 18 patients were included with a mean age of 35.8 ± 5.4 (n = 9) in the intervention arm and 36.9 ± 7.4 (n = 9) in the control arm. Pre-vasectomy counselling with ChatGPT was associated with a higher provider perception of patient understanding of the procedure (8.8 ± 1.0 vs. 6.7 ± 2.8; p = 0.047) and a decreased length of in-person consultation (7.7 ± 2.3min vs. 10.6 ± 3.4min; p = 0.05). Quality of information provided by ChatGPT, ease of use, and overall experience were rated highly at 8.3 ± 1.9, 9.1 ± 1.5, and 8.6 ± 1.7, respectively. ChatGPT for pre-vasectomy counselling improved the efficiency of consultations and the provider's perception of the patient's understanding of the procedure.