Note: Some content in this article has been generated by GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, also known as ChatGPT. All ChatGPT content is presented exactly as offered by the application.

In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to power innovations in communications has been leveraged by more and more industries. With its power to replicate certain repetitive tasks and thus cut costs by streamlining operations, AI has been increasingly seen as a potential substitute for human work by organizations looking for new ways to boost their bottom line.

Now, a newly released application called ChatGPT is at the center of conversation about the power of AI to replicate human conversation, and provide basic information. Developed by OpenAI, a U.S.-based, for-profit organization (with substantial funding from Microsoft), the ChatGPT experimental platform is already being used by marketers eager to leverage new sources of content.

With that in mind, we decided to see how well ChatGPT can define some common telehealth terms, how well it understands the distinctions between the different types of digital healthcare, and how those answers stack up against industry definitions.

How ChatGPT defines RPM and other telehealth terms

Question: What is telehealth?

ChatGPT’s response:

Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services and information remotely using telecommunication technology. This can include virtual consultations, remote monitoring of vital signs, and online education. Telehealth allows healthcare providers to access and treat patients in remote or underserved areas, and it also enables patients to receive care from the comfort of their own homes. It can also improve access to care, reduce costs, and increase patient satisfaction. Telehealth can be used for a variety of healthcare services, such as primary care, mental health, and specialist consultations.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate, matching the industry definition of telehealth — although, ideally, it would include sources for its claims. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: A-

What is remote patient monitoring?

ChatGPT’s response:

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a type of telehealth that uses technology to collect and transmit patient data to healthcare providers remotely. This data can include vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, as well as information about symptoms, medication usage, and activity levels. The data is then analyzed by healthcare providers to identify potential health issues and make treatment decisions. This can improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for in-person visits. Remote patient monitoring can be used for a variety of conditions, including chronic illnesses, post-operative recovery, and mental health. It can also help to manage patients with COVID-19.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate, matching the industry definition of RPM, though it could be more detailed, or more specific in its claims. Our grade: A-

What is remote therapeutic monitoring?

ChatGPT’s response:

Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) is a type of remote patient monitoring (RPM) that focuses on the monitoring of a specific therapy treatment that a patient is receiving. It is used to manage patients with chronic conditions, and it is typically used for patients who are receiving treatment for a long-term condition and/or require close monitoring. The goal of RTM is to ensure that the therapy treatment is being administered correctly and that the patient is responding well to the treatment. RTM typically uses a combination of technologies such as sensors, wearable devices, and mobile applications to collect patient data and provide real-time feedback to the healthcare provider. This can help healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans as needed, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the need for in-person visits.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is an accurate way to describe a certain type of RTM, but doesn’t seem to take into account information since 2021, when CMS first proposed offering RTM as a distinct model of care. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: B-

What is connected care?

ChatGPT’s response:

Connected care refers to the use of technology to connect patients, healthcare providers, and other members of the care team, in order to improve coordination of care and patient outcomes. It is a type of telehealth that uses a variety of technologies, such as mobile devices, internet-based platforms, and remote monitoring devices, to enable real-time communication, data sharing, and remote monitoring. Connected care can be used for a variety of healthcare services, such as primary care, chronic disease management, and mental health. The goal of connected care is to improve the continuity of care and patient outcomes by breaking down barriers to care and enabling healthcare providers to monitor and respond to patient needs in real-time. By providing patients with more convenient, coordinated, and comprehensive care, it can also help to reduce costs, improve patient satisfaction and prevent hospitalization.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate, matching the industry definition of connected care. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: A

What is telemedicine?

ChatGPT’s response:

Telemedicine is the use of electronic communication and information technologies, such as videoconferencing, remote monitoring, and electronic prescribing, to provide clinical health care services remotely. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients remotely, without the need for the patient to travel to a healthcare facility. Telemedicine can be used for a wide range of medical services, including primary care, specialist consultations, mental health services, and remote monitoring of chronic conditions.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate, matching the industry definition of telemedicine. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: A

Describe the difference between telemedicine and telehealth in one paragraph.

ChatGPT’s response:

Telemedicine refers to the use of electronic communication and information technologies to provide clinical healthcare services remotely, such as virtual consultations, remote monitoring and electronic prescribing. Telehealth is a broader term that encompasses all aspects of remote healthcare delivery, including clinical services, education and administration. Telemedicine is a subset of telehealth which only refers to the clinical services provided remotely.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate. It should be noted that the platform goes into greater detail unless restricted to a certain length. But in any iteration, it fails to offer any specific sources or other details to support its claims. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: B

What is remote physiologic monitoring?

ChatGPT’s response:

Remote physiologic monitoring is the use of electronic devices and technology to remotely measure and track various physiological parameters of a patient’s health. This can include things like heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and weight, among others. The collected data is then sent to a healthcare provider, who can use it to monitor the patient’s condition and make adjustments to their treatment plan as needed. Remote physiologic monitoring allows healthcare providers to more closely monitor patients with chronic conditions or those recovering from surgery, without the need for the patient to travel to a healthcare facility. It also allows for early identification of potential issues and prompt interventions to prevent deterioration of health.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate, matching the industry definition of connected care. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: B

Describe in three sentences how doctors and nurses feel about RPM.

ChatGPT’s response:

Overall, healthcare providers have a positive attitude towards remote patient monitoring (RPM) as it allows them to closely monitor patients, improve patient outcomes, and increase efficiency. They see the potential of RPM in early identification of potential issues and prompt interventions to prevent deterioration of health. However, healthcare providers may have some concerns related to the implementation of RPM, such as the need for additional training and support to use the technology, and the need for clear protocols and guidelines for how to use and interpret the data collected.

Our review of the response:

ChatGPT’s answer is accurate, but vague. It seems to describe how healthcare professionals should react, rather than gives examples of how they do react. Our grade on the ChatGPT interpretation: B

What should you know about ChatGPT?

How does ChatGPT work? A type of AI that uses machine learning (ML) in what’s known as a “Large Learning Model,” as Roger Montti writes at Search Engine Journal, ChatGPT leverages an immense quantity of data to predict sequences — or in this case, to write sentences and thus mimic human behavior.

The program is also based on the concept of continuous evolution, using machine learning to constantly expand its knowledge and capabilities over time. In recent years, this type of ML has been used to improve foreign-language translations, in an attempt to overcome long-standing challenges with those useful but error-prone applications.

On top of this ML foundation, ChatGPT integrates InstructGPT, another “large language model” that’s focused on taking directions from humans and then developing “long-form answers to complex questions,” as Montti explains. The two combined give the application that power to better follow instructions, and to construct “an essay on virtually any topic and do it in any way specified.”

While some organizations are announcing plans to use ChatGPT to create online content, others remain skeptical of its ability to deliver accurate content. For its part, OpenAI clearly states that ChatGPT is not an infallible resource, but “may occasionally generate incorrect or misleading information and produce offensive or biased content,” and “is not intended to give advice.” It also can’t access information from later than 2021, dampening its potential usefulness in an industry with fast-changing clinical guidelines.

Stay on top of telehealth news and trends with the CareSimple Blog

If you’re looking for a great source of healthcare technology news and analysis, you’ve come to the right place. With weekly updates on the topics that matter most to telehealth and RPM, the CareSimple Blog has the info you need to stay on top of the trends that matter.

And if you’re looking for more details on RPM, we’ve got you covered with the CareSimple Ultimate Guide to Remote Patient Monitoring. Download your free copy today!