# On the Use of ChatGPT in Health Science Education:
Opportunities and Obstacles

Mark Alipio, Grace Meroflor Lantajo, Joseph Dave Pregoner

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Mark Alipio, Grace Meroflor Lantajo, Joseph Dave Pregoner. On the Use of ChatGPT in Health Science Education: Opportunities and Obstacles. IMCC Journal of Science, 2023, 3 (2), pp.1-7.
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# On the Use of ChatGPT in Health Science Education: Opportunities and Obstacles

Mark Alipio ¹, *, Grace Meroflor Lantajo ², Joseph Dave Pregoner ³

¹ Iligan Medical Center College, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines

² University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines; gmlantajo@gmail.com (G.M.L.)

³ Philippine Christian University, Manila, Philippines; joseph.pregoner.phd@pcu.edu.ph (J.D.P.);

* Correspondence: markmalipio@gmail.com

## ABSTRACT

This paper explores the role of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in health science education. First, we describe the impact of the AI-powered language model on learning and curriculum development by probing into its ability to create personalized learning, adaptive assessments, and simulation-based training. Second, we discuss how ChatGPT can help in Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) to enhance patient safety and minimize diagnostic errors. Third, the role of ChatGPT in patient communication and engagement is highlighted primarily in providing multilingual support and enhancing health literacy. Finally, we recognize several challenges and limitations on the use of ChatGPT and emphasized the need for a balanced approach that combines the strengths of AI-driven assistance with the expertise of human educators. By considering these factors, health science education stands poised to leverage ChatGPT's full potential, ultimately preparing a more proficient and empathetic healthcare workforce for the challenges of tomorrow.

**KEYWORDS:** ChatGPT; education; health science; obstacles; opportunities

**ARTICLE INFO:** Received: 16 June 2023; Accepted: 21 September 2023; Volume: 03; Issue: 02; Type: Perspective Article

## 1. Introduction

Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a major shift in education, ushering in a new way of teaching and learning [1]. This technological advancement has not only made learning more personalized, but it has also greatly improved educational practices across multiple subjects. AI-powered systems can process huge amounts of data, customize learning paths, and give specific feedback. This means they can cater to each person's unique learning style and preferences. This tailored approach not only helps to grasp complex ideas better but also encourages users to think critically and solve problems. In addition, AI tools can adjust to how fast each person is learning, ensuring that nobody gets left behind.
Health science education is one area where AI is showing promise. Because the subject matter in health science education can be complex, learners' adaptability to the use of AI is especially important. Using AI in this context not only improves learning but also lays the groundwork for a new generation of healthcare professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. Meanwhile, advanced AI models provide healthcare educators with a powerful tool for changing how medical knowledge is taught and applied [2].

Among the impressive AI models, Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a standout. It is a versatile language model created by OpenAI that can generate text that sounds just like a human. This has completely changed how users handle tasks involving natural language. In health science education, ChatGPT has turned out to be a game-changer. It acts as an interactive, smart assistant that can give instant explanations, clear up tricky medical concepts, and have meaningful conversations with students. By simulating conversations with a knowledgeable virtual entity, ChatGPT offers a learning experience that complements traditional teaching methods. Its ability to adapt to different learning styles and levels of expertise empowers both beginners and experienced professionals in the healthcare field, making it an incredibly valuable tool in modern health science education.

## 2. Enhancing Learning and Curriculum Development

ChatGPT has become a game changer in health science education for improving how students learn [3]. ChatGPT's advanced language skills allow it to create personalized learning paths that are tailored to each student's specific needs and pace. It reads contextual cues and adjusts its responses in real time, providing targeted explanations and additional material to ensure students understand complex ideas. This personalized approach not only helps students understand medical concepts better, but it also sharpens their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are critical for future healthcare professionals.

When it comes to ChatGPT's impact on health science education, adaptive assessments are another big plus. Traditional tests frequently use a one-size-fits-all format, which may not account for all of the different ways students learn and excel. ChatGPT, on the other hand, provides dynamic assessments that change based on a student's performance and areas of strength. ChatGPT assists educators in seeing how each student is doing by providing custom quizzes, practice questions, and real-time feedback. This not only helps identify areas that require more attention, but it also allows educators to adjust their teaching methods in the curriculum, resulting in better learning outcomes.

Furthermore, ChatGPT is a key player in advancing simulation-based learning in health science education. Students can engage in virtual patient encounters, diagnostic exercises, and treatment simulations through interactive scenarios. ChatGPT acts as a virtual medical mentor, providing real-time advice, feedback, and ideas. This hands-on learning experience not only bridges the theoretical and practical divides, but also instills confidence in students as they navigate clinical situations. Furthermore, learning through simulations with ChatGPT provides a safe environment for students
to make mistakes, learn from them, and fine-tune their clinical reasoning - all of which
prepares them for real-world healthcare situations.

3. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) have always been critical in healthcare, assisting medical professionals in making informed decisions about patient care [4]. However, with ChatGPT in the mix, things may progress rapidly. ChatGPT's advanced language skills allow it to integrate seamlessly into these systems, allowing for dynamic, interactive consultations. It provides real-time, accurate information that greatly aids decision-making. It is like having an intelligent assistant who provides insights. suggests various diagnoses, and makes recommendations based on solid evidence. This collaboration between CDSS and ChatGPT can give medical professionals with a wealth of information at their fingertips, resulting in more accurate and effective patient care.

Meanwhile, ChatGPT is not just about making better decisions but it is also about keeping patients safe. Making the right decision quickly can be a matter of life and death in healthcare. The ability of ChatGPT to process large amounts of medical data quickly and provide precise answers can reduce the possibility of errors in diagnosis or treatment. It is somewhat similar to having an extra set of eyes looking out for potential problems. It can alert providers to potential problems with certain treatments, remind them of important patient history, and provide solid, evidence-based advice, all of which helps reduce negative events. This collaborative effort by healthcare professionals and ChatGPT in the CDSS setup is a significant step forward in keeping patients safe in healthcare settings.

Introducing ChatGPT into CDSS could completely transform how students learn medicine. Future healthcare professionals who use these systems will have access to all of ChatGPT's knowledge and experience. It can provide insights into how to diagnose, the best ways to treat, and what clinical practices are considered best. This hands-on learning experience not only supplements traditional teaching methods, but also prepares students for the complexities of clinical settings in the real world. As future healthcare professionals use CDSS with ChatGPT, they can learn how decisions are made and become extremely adept at dealing with difficult medical situations. It all comes down to building a stronger, more confident healthcare workforce.

4. Patient Communication and Engagement

Communication with patients is a crucial part of giving quality healthcare, and
ChatGPT is changing the game in this area. One of its distinguishing features is the
ability to provide support in multiple languages. This removes language barriers that
can obstruct clear communication between healthcare providers and patients speaking
different languages. With real-time translation, ChatGPT can make sure that important
medical information gets across accurately and clearly. This not only makes healthcare
services more accessible, but also builds trust and a good connection between patients
and their healthcare providers.
ChatGPT can also step up when it comes to boosting patients' understanding of health. It has an easy-to-use interface that allows people to ask questions, get things explained, and access reliable health information in a clear and simple manner. This can empower patients to be more involved in their own healthcare, allowing them to make more informed decisions about treatment and self-care. By promoting health knowledge, ChatGPT can help patients overall, leading to better health results.

Moreover, ChatGPT can take on the role of a virtual health buddy, sending reminders, sharing personalized health advice, and giving tips on managing chronic conditions. This ongoing interaction builds a stronger bond between patients and their healthcare providers, making sure patients get the support they need even outside of regular visits. It can also help reinforce treatment plans, making sure patients stick to their meds and make any lifestyle changes they need to. This leads to better results for patients and higher satisfaction with their healthcare experience overall. Bringing ChatGPT into healthcare as a communication tool is a big step forward in focusing on what is best for patients, and highlights how important clear, easy-to-use, and informative talks between patients and their healthcare providers are.

**5. Ethical Considerations and Challenges**

As ChatGPT becomes more integrated into health science education, it is crucial to tackle the ethical dilemmas and challenges that come with this technological stride. A major concern involves privacy and keeping data secure. Schools and healthcare institutions need to put solid measures in place to protect sensitive patient information and ensure they are following data protection rules. Finding the right balance between offering an interactive, personalized learning experience and respecting privacy rights is a major challenge when it comes to ethically using ChatGPT in health science education.

Also, using ChatGPT responsibly and ethically means taking a close look at how it affects the way humans interact with AI. Striking a balance between relying on AI help and keeping up human expertise is key. Depending too much on ChatGPT could potentially weaken critical thinking and the ability to make clinical decisions, especially in high-stakes medical situations. Educators have to carefully plan out curricula and teaching methods that use ChatGPT as an extra tool, not a replacement for human guidance.

Making sure there is no bias and that things are fair when using ChatGPT in health science education is a top ethical concern. AI models like ChatGPT learn from big sets of data, and if there are biases in those data, they can keep those biases going, and maybe even make them stronger. Thorough testing, regular checking, and making improvements over time are crucial to reduce biases and make sure things are fair. In addition, healthcare educators have to teach students how to think critically about the information ChatGPT gives, so they can tell the difference between trustworthy sources and information that might be biased or not quite right. By taking these ethical concerns and challenges seriously, we can make sure that using ChatGPT in health science education is done with the highest standards of honesty and a focus on putting patients first.
**6. Future Directions and Trends**

The future of health science education is on the brink of a major shift, and the integration of ChatGPT is just the beginning in this rapidly evolving landscape. One exciting trend on the horizon is the seamless blend of AI with emerging technology, especially augmented reality (AR). AR applications have the potential to completely change health science education by offering immersive, hands-on experiences for students. In this technology, learners can dive into realistic surgical simulations or explore three-dimensional anatomical models in real-time, guided by ChatGPT's expert insights. This integration can hold huge promise for ramping up practical learning experiences and getting the next wave of healthcare pros ready for the complex world of clinical practice.

Predictive analytics is another frontier with massive potential in the future of health science education. By using powerful AI algorithms, educators can dig into huge amounts of data to predict trends and patterns in patient care. This foresight lets them create tailored educational materials and resources that tackle emerging healthcare challenges. Moreover, predictive analytics can shape curriculum development by highlighting areas that need extra focus, aligning with evolving healthcare needs and tech advances. By using these insights, health science education can stay flexible, responsive, and in sync with the demands of a swiftly changing healthcare landscape.

Finally, integrating ChatGPT with wearables and virtual reality (VR) setups is a promising path for immersive, hands-on learning in health science education. In this integration, students can use VR headsets to step into virtual patient encounters, where they can interact with lifelike avatars and get real-time guidance from ChatGPT. This level of interaction not only enhances clinical decision-making skills, but also fosters a greater sense of empathy and understanding among future healthcare professionals. Using highly sophisticated technologies, health science education can bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the future's dynamic and ever-changing healthcare landscape.

**7. Limitations and Critiques**

While ChatGPT brings huge potential to health science education, it is important to acknowledge its limitations and take into account potential criticisms. One significant constraint is the technical requirements for implementing ChatGPT in educational settings. Depending on the scale of deployment and the level of interaction needed, it may demand substantial computational resources. This could be a hurdle for institutions with limited IT infrastructure or budget constraints. Additionally, ensuring smooth integration with existing educational platforms and systems may call for dedicated technical expertise, which could potentially be a barrier for some institutions looking to adopt this technology.

Another thing to consider is the ever-changing nature of healthcare information. Medical knowledge is always evolving, with new research findings and treatment protocols coming out regularly. ChatGPT relies on pre-existing data for its responses, which may not always reflect the most current information. This can be a concern,
especially in fast-moving fields or when discussing advanced treatments. It highlights the importance of supplementing ChatGPT's responses with access to current, evidence-based resources to ensure students get the most accurate and up-to-date information available.

Furthermore, the dynamic between humans and AI is an aspect that needs careful thought. While ChatGPT can offer valuable insights and assistance, it cannot replace the nuanced expertise and empathy that human educators and healthcare providers bring to the table. Depending too heavily on AI-driven help might unintentionally hinder the development of critical thinking skills and clinical judgment, which are fundamental in healthcare practice. Finding the right balance between using ChatGPT's capabilities and recognizing the crucial role of human educators is a key consideration in making the most of its integration into health science education. By thoughtfully addressing these limitations and criticisms, educators can maximize the benefits of ChatGPT while managing potential challenges.

## 8. Conclusion

In conclusion, incorporating ChatGPT into health science education is a significant step forward with far-reaching implications. It enhances students' learning experiences by providing tailored learning paths, adaptive assessments, and simulation-based learning, allowing them to gain a better understanding of complex medical concepts. Its role in Clinical Decision Support Systems elevates clinical decision-making, making care safer and reducing the likelihood of diagnostic errors. Furthermore, ChatGPT's role in patient communication and involvement, such as providing multilingual support and increasing health literacy, strengthens the connection between providers and patients and empowers individuals to take care of their own health.

Looking ahead, smoothly combining ChatGPT with advanced technology like augmented reality and predictive analytics could completely transform medical education. These advances have the potential to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that get students ready for the challenges of modern clinical practice. However, it is crucial to acknowledge and tackle limitations, such as the technical demands and the ever-changing nature of healthcare information, to make sure the integration is effective. Finding the right balance between AI-driven help and the expertise of human educators is still very important. By handling these factors, health science education can tap into the full potential of ChatGPT, ultimately getting a more skilled and empathetic healthcare workforce ready for the challenges ahead.

## Acknowledgment

Gratitude is directed to the two peer reviewers for the valuable comments and suggestions that greatly improved this paper.

## Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.
**Author Contributions:** All authors have contributed equally. They have approved the final version of this manuscript.

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