We’re living in an era driven by technology and most people turn to online platforms for answers,.
Including medical ones.
But when it comes to seeking precise and reliable information about serious illnesses, such as dementia, which platform should you trust more: Google or ChatGPT?
A revealing interdisciplinary study conducted by the University of California, Riverside, in collaboration with the University of Alabama and Florida International University, delved into this very question.
Their findings? Both Google and ChatGPT have their advantages and drawbacks.
Strengths and Limitations
Google, known for its massive data reach and speed, is unsurprisingly up-to-date with the latest developments in the medical field.
But herein lies its double-edged sword nature. While it provides recent data, advertisers can influence search results. As Vagelis Hristidis, a computer science professor at UCR, rightly pointed out, Google’s results can be a mix of genuine sources and paid advertisements, thus requiring users to have a discerning eye.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, prides itself on the accuracy of the information it provides.
OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, rely on reputable websites during its training process. This ensures that the data it disseminates has no bias by advertisers. However, the platform’s content gets updates periodically, which means it might not provide insights on very recent developments.
A significant drawback of ChatGPT that the study highlighted is the lack of reference sources in its responses.
While users can trust its data to be reliable due to OpenAI’s rigorous training methodology, they are still left in the dark about the origins of the information.
The Crucial Role of Timely Medical Information
The choice of dementia as the focal point of this study was not arbitrary.
With over 6 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s or related conditions, the demand for accurate information is high.
Especially as caregivers often find themselves searching for reliable health information to make informed decisions for their loved ones.
Ellen Brown from Florida International University underscores the significance of timely data, especially given the ongoing clinical trials and recent approvals by the FDA for early-stage Alzheimer’s treatments.
Improving the Digital Health Information Landscape
One shared shortcoming of both Google and ChatGPT, as highlighted by the study, is their low readability scores.
For a topic as critical as health, this poses a challenge for users with limited education or health literacy skills. However, Hristidis is optimistic about the future, believing that improving readability might be easier to achieve than enhancing reliability or accuracy.
As the digital age continues to advance, the quest for credible and clear health information will remain paramount. As Hristidis predicts, we can anticipate a fusion of the strengths of platforms like Google and ChatGPT, leading to a system that’s not only reliable and up-to-date but also user-friendly.
In an age where technology is increasingly intertwined with healthcare, the responsibility of providing transparent, accurate, and accessible health information becomes even more critical.
This study is a testament to the ongoing efforts and challenges in achieving that goal, and it serves as a call for continuous improvement in the digital health information landscape.
