Assessing unknown potential—quality and limitations of different large language models in the field of otorhinolaryngology

Christoph R Buhr*, Harry Smith, Tilman Huppertz, Katharina Bahr-Hamm, Christoph Matthias, Clemens Cuny, Jan Phillipp Snijders, Benjamin Philipp Ernst, Andrew Blaikie, Tom Kelsey, Sebastian Kuhn, Jonas Eckrich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background
Large Language Models (LLMs) might offer a solution for the lack of trained health personnel, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, their strengths and weaknesses remain unclear.

Aims/objectives
Here we benchmark different LLMs (Bard 2023.07.13, Claude 2, ChatGPT 4) against six consultants in otorhinolaryngology (ORL).

Material and methods
Case-based questions were extracted from literature and German state examinations. Answers from Bard 2023.07.13, Claude 2, ChatGPT 4, and six ORL consultants were rated blindly on a 6-point Likert-scale for medical adequacy, comprehensibility, coherence, and conciseness. Given answers were compared to validated answers and evaluated for hazards. A modified Turing test was performed and character counts were compared.

Results
LLMs answers ranked inferior to consultants in all categories. Yet, the difference between consultants and LLMs was marginal, with the clearest disparity in conciseness and the smallest in comprehensibility. Among LLMs Claude 2 was rated best in medical adequacy and conciseness. Consultants’ answers matched the validated solution in 93% (228/246), ChatGPT 4 in 85% (35/41), Claude 2 in 78% (32/41), and Bard 2023.07.13 in 59% (24/41). Answers were rated as potentially hazardous in 10% (24/246) for ChatGPT 4, 14% (34/246) for Claude 2, 19% (46/264) for Bard 2023.07.13, and 6% (71/1230) for consultants.

Conclusions and significance
Despite consultants superior performance, LLMs show potential for clinical application in ORL. Future studies should assess their performance on larger scale.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalActa Oto-Laryngologica
VolumeLatest Articles
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 May 2024

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