Clinical Report: AI may ease patient decision-making in rhinology

Overview

A pilot study found that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis experienced reduced decisional conflict after using ChatGPT or Google for information. Both platforms showed similar effectiveness in improving decisional clarity, but neither significantly changed treatment preferences or knowledge. The study involved English-speaking adult patients who qualified for surgery and had received one-on-one counseling with a rhinologist.

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common condition that often requires surgical intervention when medical management fails. Effective patient decision-making is crucial, as it can impact treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. The integration of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT may offer new avenues for enhancing patient education and shared decision-making.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Mean DCS scores decreased from 17.5 to 13.2 in the ChatGPT group.
• Mean DCS scores decreased from 14.1 to 11.4 in the Google group.
• Neither intervention changed patients’ treatment preferences or improved treatment-related knowledge.
• Usability scores were similar: 67.3 for ChatGPT and 66.4 for Google.
• Patients unsure about treatment had greater decisional conflict compared to those preferring surgery.
• Fellowship-trained rhinologists rated ChatGPT responses with a mean accuracy of 7.2 on a 10-point scale.

Clinical Implications

The study indicates that while AI tools like ChatGPT may assist in reducing decisional conflict, they should not replace personalized counseling.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to establish the reliability and effectiveness of AI tools in clinical practice.

Related Resources & Content

1. Baker O., Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 2024 -- AI may ease patient decision-making in rhinology
2. MDSpire News, AI vs. MDs: Who Navigates the Airways Better?
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4. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), Clinical Evaluation of an AI-Assisted Decision Support System for General Anesthesia Management Based on Data From 6 Centers: Comparative Study
5. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), The Clinical Practice Guideline Update on Adult Sinusitis Emphasizes Patient Education, Shared Decision-Making, and Evidence-Based Treatment Options
6. Shin, Executive Summary of the Clinical Practice Guideline on the Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis, 2025
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8. The Clinical Practice Guideline Update on Adult Sinusitis Emphasizes Patient Education, Shared Decision-Making, and Evidence-Based Treatment Options - American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
9. Executive Summary of the Clinical Practice Guideline on the Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis - Shin - 2025 - Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery - Wiley Online Library
10. Scientific summary - Effectiveness of septoplasty compared to medical management in adults with obstruction associated with a deviated nasal septum: the NAIROS RCT - NCBI Bookshelf
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