Abstract
BACKGROUND: ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that has demonstrated capabilities in numerous fields, including medical and healthcare sciences. This study evaluates the potential for ChatGPT application in telepharmacy, the delivering of pharmaceutical care via means of telecommunications, through assessing its interactions, adherence to instructions, and ability to role-play as a pharmacist while handling a series of life-like scenario questions. METHODS: Two versions (ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0, OpenAI) were assessed using two independent trials each. ChatGPT was instructed to act as a pharmacist and answer patient inquiries, followed by a set of 20 assessment questions. Then, ChatGPT was instructed to stop its act, provide feedback and list its sources for drug information. The responses to the assessment questions were evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision and clarity using a 4-point Likert-like scale. RESULTS: ChatGPT demonstrated the ability to follow detailed instructions, role-play as a pharmacist, and appropriately handle all questions. ChatGPT was able to understand case details, recognize generic and brand drug names, identify drug side effects, interactions, prescription requirements and precautions, and provide proper point-by-point instructions regarding administration, dosing, storage and disposal. The overall means of pooled scores were 3.425 (0.712) and 3.7 (0.61) for ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0, respectively. The rank distribution of scores was not significantly different (P>0.05). None of the answers could be considered directly harmful or labeled as entirely or mostly incorrect, and most point deductions were due to other factors such as indecisiveness, adding immaterial information, missing certain considerations, or partial unclarity. The answers were similar in length across trials and appropriately concise. ChatGPT 4.0 showed superior performance, higher consistency, better character adherence and the ability to report various reliable information sources. However, it only allowed an input of 40 questions every three hours and provided inaccurate feedback regarding the number of assessed patients, compared to 3.5 which allowed unlimited input but was unable to provide feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating ChatGPT in telepharmacy holds promising potential; however, a number of drawbacks are to be overcome in order to function effectively.