Evaluating empathy in GPT-4-generated vs. physician-written emergency department discharge letters.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Empathy improves clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. Few studies have explored the real-world use of large language models in conveying empathy. We compared the empathy in emergency department (ED) discharge letters written by GPT-4 and physicians.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, blinded, comparative study in a tertiary ED. All patients discharged for one 8-h shift were included. For each patient, we compared the original ED discharge letter to a GPT-4 generated letter. GPT-4 generated the letters using ED notes, excluding the original discharge letter. Seventeen evaluators (seven physicians, five nurses, five patients) compared the letters side by side. They were blinded to the source. Evaluators first chose between

SUBMITTER: Ben-Haim G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615915 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature