Using a Large Language Model to Support Thematic Analysis of Patient Experiences in Chronic Illness Management: Comparative Qualitative Study - Report - MDSpire

Using a Large Language Model to Support Thematic Analysis of Patient Experiences in Chronic Illness Management: Comparative Qualitative Study

  • By

  • Sara Kivity

  • Yechiel Michael Barilan

  • Reut Noham

  • Mor Saban

  • June 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Leveraging a Large Language Model for Thematic Analysis of Patient Experiences

Overview

This study evaluates the use of large language models (LLMs) in thematic analysis of chronic illness management. It compares LLM-assisted analysis with traditional methods, highlighting the potential for LLMs to replicate and extend known qualitative insights.

Background

Chronic illness management is a complex process that requires patients to integrate various health-related tasks into their daily lives. Traditional qualitative analysis methods face limitations in scalability and consistency, particularly when analyzing large datasets. The emergence of LLMs offers new possibilities for qualitative research, potentially enhancing the depth and breadth of thematic insights.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial results were provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Chronic illness management is described as a dynamic 'management career' for patients.
  • Qualitative studies provide rich insights into patient experiences but are limited by time and resources.
  • LLMs can identify patterns in large datasets, offering an alternative analytical lens.
  • LLM-assisted analysis may support reflexivity and reveal alternative thematic groupings.
  • Existing knowledge in chronic illness management can serve as a benchmark for evaluating LLM contributions.

Clinical Implications

The integration of LLMs in qualitative research may enhance the understanding of patient experiences in chronic illness management. This approach could provide healthcare professionals with deeper insights into the complexities of patient care.

Conclusion

The study suggests that LLM-assisted thematic analysis can complement traditional methods, potentially enriching the understanding of chronic illness management experiences.

Related Resources & Content

  1. JMIR Medical Informatics, 2026 -- Topic-Aware Summarization of Lived Health Care Experiences: Large Language Model Evaluation Study
  2. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 2026 -- Personal Health Large Language Models and the Negotiation of Medical Authority in Clinical Care: Opportunities, Risks, and Governance
  3. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 2026 -- Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions of Large Language Models in Health Care Communication: Scoping Review
  4. npj Digital Medicine, 2025 -- The evaluation illusion of large language models in medicine
  5. Patient-Focused Drug Development, 2025 -- Selecting, Developing, or Modifying Fit-for-Purpose Clinical Outcome Assessments
  6. Effects of large language model-generated, patient-oriented discharge summaries on patient activation: a single-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in Germany, 2026
  7. Using large language models to assist qualitative thematic analysis of student reflections on advance care planning education, BMC Medical Education, 2026
  8. Patient-Focused Drug Development: Selecting, Developing, or Modifying Fit-for-Purpose Clinical Outcome Assessments
  9. Effects of large language model-generated, patient-oriented discharge summaries on patient activation: a single-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in Germany - ScienceDirect
  10. Using large language models to assist qualitative thematic analysis of student reflections on advance care planning education | BMC Medical Education | Springer Nature Link

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