Volume 24 Issue 5
May  2026
Turn off MathJax
Article Contents
LI Jiawen, YI Shanye, MA Jingxin, FENG Jia, ZHOU Yiheng, ZHAO Qian, LEI Yi, YUAN Bo, JIA Yu, LIAO Xiaoyang. New opportunities and challenges of ChatGPT in general clinical practice[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practice, 2026, 24(5): 721-725. doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.004476
Citation: LI Jiawen, YI Shanye, MA Jingxin, FENG Jia, ZHOU Yiheng, ZHAO Qian, LEI Yi, YUAN Bo, JIA Yu, LIAO Xiaoyang. New opportunities and challenges of ChatGPT in general clinical practice[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practice, 2026, 24(5): 721-725. doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.004476

New opportunities and challenges of ChatGPT in general clinical practice

doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.004476
Funds:

 2023YFS0027

 2023NSFSC1652

 HXQMX0139

  • Received Date: 2025-06-04
    Available Online: 2026-10-23
  • ChatGPT is a large-scale pretrained language model based on GPT-3 launched by OpenAI on November 30, 2022. Owing to its extensive training data and powerful language processing capabilities, ChatGPT demonstrates high accuracy, comprehensiveness, and flexibility in language understanding, showing considerable potential in medical applications, particularly in doctor-patient communication and preventive healthcare. General practice medicine is characterized by the "3P3C" framework, encompassing primary healthcare, preventive healthcare, patient-centered care, comprehensive healthcare, continuous care, and community healthcare. ChatGPT has shown significant potential in these areas, such as providing health information and diagnostic advice, assisting in the development of personalized treatment plans, and supporting chronic disease management. However, the application of ChatGPT also faces many challenges, such as data bias, accuracy limitations, delays in knowledge updates, and ethical and privacy issues, etc. Therefore, future integration of ChatGPT into general practice requires improvements in ethical and legal framework, acceleration of localized deployment, and enhancement of data quality and technological reliability to ensure safe and effective application. Given its potential to improve doctor-patient communication, promote health education, and assist in medical diagnosis in community settings, this study systematically explores the applications and research progress of ChatGPT in the clinical practice, drawing on practical experience and relevant literature in the medical field. It also examines future development trends and provides a preliminary analysis of potential challenges. The broader adoption and implementation of large language models, represented by ChatGPT, may further advance the development of general medicine.

     

  • loading
  • [1]
    于晓松. 新中国成立70年以来中国全科医学发展与展望[J]. 中华全科医学, 2019, 17(11): 1797-1799. doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.001058

    YU X S. The development and prospect of Chinese general practice since the founding of new China 70 years ago[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practice, 2019, 17(11): 1797-1799. doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.001058
    [2]
    GUPTA R, SRIVASTAVA D, SAHU M, et al. Artificial intelligence to deep learning: machine intelligence approach for drug discovery[J]. Mol Divers, 2021, 25(3): 1315-1360. doi: 10.1007/s11030-021-10217-3
    [3]
    GAUTIER T, ZIEGLER L B, GERBER M S, et al. Artificial intelligence and diabetes technology: a review[J]. Metabolism, 2021, 124: 154872. DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2021.154872.
    [4]
    LEE D, YOON S N. Application of artificial intelligence-based technologies in the healthcare industry: opportunities and challenges[J]. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021, 18(1): 271. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18010271
    [5]
    WANG X, HE X, WEI J, et al. Application of artificial intelligence to the public health education[J]. Front Public Health, 2023, 10: 1087174. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1087174.
    [6]
    ZHANG K Z. ChatGPT: optimizing language models for dialogue[EB/OL]. (2022-12-22)[2025-10-28]. https://kpzhang.github.io/report/ChatGPT-KZ-Feb2023.pdf.
    [7]
    MOONS P, VAN BULCK L. ChatGPT: can artificial intelligence language models be of value for cardiovascular nurses and allied health professionals[J]. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs, 2023, 22(7): e55-e59. doi: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad022
    [8]
    GIRAY L. Prompt engineering with ChatGPT: a guide for academic writers[J]. Ann Biomed Eng, 2023, 51(12): 2629-2633. doi: 10.1007/s10439-023-03272-4
    [9]
    ABD-ALRAZAQ A, ALSAAD R, ALHUWAIL D, et al. Large language models in medical education: opportunities, challenges, and future directions[J]. JMIR Med Educ, 2023, 9(1): e48291. DOI: 10.2196/48291.
    [10]
    WU J, MA Y, WANG J, et al. The application of ChatGPT in medicine: a scoping review and bibliometric analysis[J]. J Multidiscip Healthc, 2024, 17: 1681-1692. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S463128
    [11]
    BASHSHUR R L, HOWELL J D, KRUPINSKI E A, et al. The empirical foundations of telemedicine interventions in primary care[J]. Telemed J E Health, 2016, 22(5): 342-375. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2016.0045
    [12]
    JOHNSON D, GOODMAN R, PATRINELY J, et al. Assessing the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated medical responses: an evaluation of the Chat-GPT model[J]. Res Sq, 2023. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2566942/v1.
    [13]
    DAVIS R, EPPLER M, AYO-AJIBOLA O, et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-powered large language models application in disseminating appropriate and readable health information in urology[J]. J Urol, 2023, 210(4): 688-694. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003615
    [14]
    ZHENG Y, SUN X, FENG B, et al. Rare and complex diseases in focus: ChatGPT's role in improving diagnosis and treatment[J]. Front Artif Intell, 2024, 7: 1338433. DOI: 10.3389/frai.2024.1338433.
    [15]
    SHIKINO K, SHIMIZU T, OTSUKA Y, et al. Evaluation of ChatGPT-generated differential diagnosis for common diseases with atypical presentation: descriptive research[J]. JMIR Med Educ, 2024, 10: e58758. DOI: 10.2196/58758.
    [16]
    VAIRA L A, LECHIEN J R, ABBATE V, et al. Accuracy of ChatGPT-generated information on head and neck and oromaxillofacial surgery: a multicenter collaborative analysis[J]. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2024, 170(6): 1492-1503. doi: 10.1002/ohn.489
    [17]
    AYO-AJIBOLA O, JULIEN C, LIN M E, et al. Association of primary care access with health-related ChatGPT use: a national cross-sectional survey[J]. J Gen Intern Med, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s11606-025-09406-9.
    [18]
    GUNESLI I, AKSUN S, FATHELBAB J, et al. Comparative evaluation of ChatGPT-4, ChatGPT-3.5 and Google Gemini on PCOS assessment and management based on recommendations from the 2023 guideline[J]. Endocrine, 2025, 88(1): 315-322.
    [19]
    BALAS M, MANDELCORN E D, YAN P, et al. ChatGPT and retinal disease: a cross-sectional study on AI comprehension of clinical guidelines[J]. Can J Ophthalmol, 2025, 60(1): e117-e123. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2024.06.001
    [20]
    STEPHENS T N, JOERIN A, RAUWS M, et al. Feasibility of pediatric obesity and prediabetes treatment support through tess, the AI behavioral coaching chatbot[J]. Transl Behav Med, 2019, 9(3): 440-447. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibz043
    [21]
    BILAL M, JAMIL Y, RANA D, et al. Enhancing awareness and self-diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea using AI-powered Chatbots: the role of ChatGPT in revolutionizing healthcare[J]. Ann Biomed Eng, 2024, 52(2): 136-138. doi: 10.1007/s10439-023-03298-8
    [22]
    DEIANA G, DETTORI M, ARGHITTU A, et al. Artificial intelligence and public health: evaluating ChatGPT responses to vaccination myths and misconceptions[J]. Vaccines, 2023, 11(7): 1217. DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071217.
    [23]
    GHANEM D, SHU H, BERGSTEIN V, et al. Educating patients on osteoporosis and bone health: can "ChatGPT" provide high-quality content?[J]. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol, 2024, 34(5): 2757-2765. doi: 10.1007/s00590-024-03990-y
    [24]
    KATTIH M, BRESSLER M, SMITH L R, et al. Artificial intelligence-prompted explanations of common primary care diagnoses[J]. PRiMER, 2024, 8: 51. DOI: 10.22454/PRiMER.2024.916089.
    [25]
    CHANDRA K, GHILZAI U, LAWAND J, et al. Improving Readability of shoulder and elbow surgery online patient education material with Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) 4[J]. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 2025, 34(11): e1119-e1124. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2025.02.025
    [26]
    CONSTAND M K, MACDERMID J C, DAL BELLO-HAAS V, et al. Scoping review of patient-centered care approaches in healthcare[J]. BMC Health Serv Res, 2014, 14(1): 271. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-271
    [27]
    AYERS J W, POLIAK A, DREDZE M, et al. Comparing physician and artificial intelligence chatbot responses to patient questions posted to a public social media forum[J]. JAMA Intern Med, 2023, 183(6): 589-596. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.1838
    [28]
    STENZL A, ARMSTRONG A J, ROGERS E, et al. Evaluation of ChatGPT as a reliable source of medical information on prostate cancer for patients: global comparative survey of medical oncologists and urologists[J]. Urol Pract, 2025, 12(2): 229-240. doi: 10.1097/UPJ.0000000000000740
    [29]
    OANDASAN I F, ARCHIBALD D, AUTHIER L, et al. Future practice of comprehensive care: practice intentions of exiting family medicine residents in Canada[J]. Can Fam Physician, 2018, 64(7): 520-528.
    [30]
    ALLAHQOLI L, GHIASVAND M M, MAZIDIMORADI A, et al. Diagnostic and management performance of ChatGPT in obstetrics and gynecology[J]. Gynecol Obstet Invest, 2023, 88(5): 310-313. doi: 10.1159/000533177
    [31]
    RAHSEPAR A A, TAVAKOLI N, KIM G H J, et al. How AI responds to common lung cancer questions: ChatGPT versus Google Bard[J]. Radiology, 2023, 307(5): e230922. DOI: 10.1148/radiol.230922.
    [32]
    AL-ANEZI F M. Exploring the use of ChatGPT as a virtual health coach for chronic disease management[J]. Learn Health Syst, 2024, 8(3): e10406. DOI: 10.1002/lrh2.10406.
    [33]
    AKDOGAN O, UYAR G C, YESILBAS E, et al. Effect of a ChatGPT-based digital counseling intervention on anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a prospective, randomized trial[J]. Eur J Cancer, 2025, 221: 115408. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115408.
    [34]
    FERDUSH J, BEGUM M, HOSSAIN S T. ChatGPT and clinical decision support: scope, application, and limitations[J]. Ann Biomed Eng, 2024, 52(5): 1119-1124. doi: 10.1007/s10439-023-03329-4
    [35]
    LIU S, WRIGHT A P, PATTERSON B L, et al. Assessing the Value of ChatGPT for clinical decision support optimization. medRxiv[Preprint]. 2023. DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.21.23286254.
    [36]
    FREEMAN G K, OLESEN F, HJORTDAHL P. Continuity of care: an essential element of modern general practice?[J]. Fam Pract, 2003, 20(6): 623-627. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmg601
    [37]
    ROSENBERG G S, MAGNÉLI M, BARLE N, et al. ChatGPT-4 generates orthopedic discharge documents faster than humans maintaining comparable quality: a pilot study of 6 cases[J]. Acta Orthop, 2024, 95: 152-156. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2024.40182
    [38]
    IQBAL U, TANWEER A, RAHMANTI A R, et al. Impact of large language model (ChatGPT) in healthcare: an umbrella review and evidence synthesis[J]. J Biomed Sci, 2025, 32(1): 45. DOI: 10.1186/s12929-025-01131-z.
    [39]
    ALI S R, DOBBS T D, HUTCHINGS H A, et al. Using ChatGPT to write patient clinic letters[J]. Lancet Digit Health, 2023, 5(4): e179-e181. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(23)00048-1
    [40]
    RAO A, PANG M, KIM J, et al. Assessing the utility of ChatGPT throughout the entire clinical workflow: development and usability study[J]. J Med Internet Res, 2023, 25: e48659. DOI: 10.2196/48659.
    [41]
    KUSH J C. Integrating sensor technologies with conversational AI: enhancing context-sensitive interaction through real-time data fusion[J]. Sensors, 2025, 25(1): 249. DOI: 10.3390/s25010249.
    [42]
    AYDIN S, KARABACAK M, VLACHOS V, et al. Large language models in patient education: a scoping review of applications in medicine[J]. Front Med, 2024, 11: 1477898. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1477898.
    [43]
    GILLEARD C, HYDE M, HIGGS P. Community and communication in the third age: the impact of internet and cell phone use on attachment to place in later life in England[J]. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, 2007, 62(4): S276-S283. doi: 10.1093/geronb/62.4.S276
    [44]
    LOVEDAY M, WALLENGREN K, BRUST J, et al. Community-based care vs. centralised hospitalisation for MDR-TB patients, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa[J]. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2015, 19(2): 163-171. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.14.0369
    [45]
    SINGH O P. Artificial intelligence in the era of ChatGPT-Opportunities and challenges in mental health care[J]. Indian J Psychiatry, 2023, 65(3): 297-298. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_112_23
    [46]
    IMRAN N, HASHMI A, IMRAN A. Chat-GPT: opportunities and challenges in child mental healthcare[J]. Pak J Med Sci, 2023, 39(4): 1191-1193.
    [47]
    BRANT-ZAWADZKI G, KLAPTHOR B, RYBA C, et al. The performance of ChatGPT-4 and Gemini Ultra 1.0 for quality assurance review in emergency medical services chest pain calls[J]. Prehosp Emerg Care, 2025, 29(3): 210-217. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2024.2376757
    [48]
    WANG C, LIU S, YANG H, et al. Ethical considerations of using ChatGPT in health care[J]. J Med Internet Res, 2023, 25: e48009. DOI: 10.2196/48009.
    [49]
    CASALS-FARRE O, BASKARAN R, SINGH A, et al. Assessing ChatGPT 4.0's capabilities in the United Kingdom medical licensing examination (UKMLA): a robust categorical analysis[J]. Sci Rep, 2025, 15(1): 13031. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-97327-2.
    [50]
    ARIYARATNE S, IYENGAR K P, NISCHAL N, et al. A comparison of ChatGPT-generated articles with human-written articles[J]. Skeletal Radiol, 2023, 52(9): 1755-1758. doi: 10.1007/s00256-023-04340-5

Catalog

    通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
    • 1. 

      沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

    1. 本站搜索
    2. 百度学术搜索
    3. 万方数据库搜索
    4. CNKI搜索

    Figures(1)

    Article Metrics

    Article views (23) PDF downloads(4) Cited by()
    Proportional views
    Related

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return