AI may ease patient decision-making in rhinology

ChatGPT and Google similarly reduced decisional conflict among patients considering rhinologic surgery in a randomized pilot study.

Category	Detail
Condition	Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal obstruction
Key Mechanisms	Use of AI tools (ChatGPT and Google) to reduce decisional conflict
Target Population	English-speaking adult patients with medically refractory chronic rhinosinusitis and/or nasal obstruction considering surgery
Care Setting	Single academic rhinology clinic

Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) scores decreased in both ChatGPT and Google groups.
No statistically significant difference in decisional conflict reduction between ChatGPT and Google.
Usability scores were similar for both platforms.
Patients unsure about treatment had greater decisional conflict than those preferring surgery.
Prior counseling may have influenced baseline decisional conflict.

Patients should receive one-on-one counseling with a rhinologist before using AI tools.

AI tools may support shared decision-making but should not replace personalized counseling.

Assess changes in decisional conflict and treatment-related knowledge post-intervention.

Informational tools alone may heighten confusion or reinforce ambivalence among uncertain patients.

Patients with medically refractory chronic rhinosinusitis and/or nasal obstruction considering surgery.

Exposure to AI tools may not significantly alter treatment preferences or knowledge.

Identify patients with high baseline uncertainty for more structured guidance.
Consider hybrid decision-making approaches combining AI tools and physician counseling.