ChatGPT's Role in Spinal Surgery Education: A Mixed Bag

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a big deal for older folks, with a whopping 68% affected. Surgery can help, but it's not a walk in the park, with complications happening in up to half of the cases. Teaching patients about what to expect is super important, but doctors are busy, and time is limited. Enter ChatGPT-3. 5, a language learning model that might lend a hand. A recent study put it to the test, asking it 19 common questions from patients about to undergo ASD surgery. Three spine surgeons then checked out the answers for accuracy and readability. The questions covered four main topics: getting ready for surgery, recovery, lifestyle changes, and what happens afterward. ChatGPT did okay, but not great. Answers about getting ready for surgery and recovery were pretty good, with average scores of 1. 67 and 1. 33, respectively. But when it came to what happens after surgery, the scores dropped to 2. 0. Most answers were decent, with 59. 7% being excellent and 26. 3% satisfactory. However, 12. 3% needed some clarification, and 1. 8% were downright unsatisfactory. One answer, about whether pain would return or worsen, was rated inaccurate by all reviewers. Readability was another issue. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula showed that all 19 responses were too complex, with an average reading level of 5. 91 grades above the recommended eight-grade level. So, what's the verdict? ChatGPT has potential as a helper in patient education, but it's not perfect. The varying accuracy and complex language might make it less useful for those with lower health literacy. It's a tool, not a replacement for good old-fashioned doctor-patient communication.