Pilot study of a ChatGPT-based educational and counselling tool in a specialist HIV and sexual health clinic.

OBJECTIVES

Real-world implementation of large language models such as ChatGPT to enhance patient education remains limited. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and attitudes towards a ChatGPT-based counselling tool among patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) in a specialist infectious diseases clinic.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective clinical implementation study in a specialist HIV and sexual health clinic in Singapore from Jan 2025 to December 2025. Patients interacted with a custom ChatGPT-based chatbot prior to routine counselling by physicians or pharmacists. Responses were reviewed with patients subsequently during consultation. Post-interaction, patients and HCWs completed structured surveys incorporating domains from a validated survey tool: perceived risk, anxiety, technology/social influence and intention for future use.

RESULTS

The chatbot was most frequently used for counselling on antiretroviral therapy initiation or switching, and sexual health advice. A total of 35 patients and 35 HCW assessments were analysed. Patients had greater perceived risk with the use of the chatbot compared to HCWs, as indicated by lower median scores (13, IQR 10-16; vs. 18, IQR 15-21), while anxiety scores were similar. Technology/social influence scores were high across both groups (overall median 20, IQR 19-22). Most participants indicated willingness for future use. Qualitative feedback highlighted improved patient understanding and more focused consultations, but concerns included lack of contextual nuance and occasional inaccuracies.

CONCLUSIONS

The pilot implementation of a ChatGPT-based counselling tool in a specialist HIV and sexual health clinic was feasible and generally acceptable to patients and HCWs. Further studies are required to evaluate accuracy and clinical effectiveness before broader implementation.