Background and aims: Patients frequently have concerns about their disease and find it challenging to obtain accurate Information. OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot (ChatGPT) is a new large language model developed to provide answers to a wide range of questions in various fields. Our aim is to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT in answering patients’ questions regarding gastrointestinal health. Methods: To evaluate the performance of ChatGPT in answering patients’ questions, we used a representative sample of 110 real-life questions. The answers provided by ChatGPT were rated in consensus by three experienced gastroenterologists. The accuracy, clarity, and efficacy of the answers provided by ChatGPT were assessed. Results: ChatGPT was able to provide accurate and clear answers to patients’ questions in some cases, but not in others. For questions about treatments, the average accuracy, clarity, and efficacy scores (1 to 5) were 3.9 ± 0.8, 3.9 ± 0.9, and 3.3 ± 0.9, respectively. For symptoms questions, the average accuracy, clarity, and efficacy scores were 3.4 ± 0.8, 3.7 ± 0.7, and 3.2 ± 0.7, respectively. For diagnostic test questions, the average accuracy, clarity, and efficacy scores were 3.7 ± 1.7, 3.7 ± 1.8, and 3.5 ± 1.7, respectively. Conclusions: While ChatGPT has potential as a source of information, further development is needed. The quality of information is contingent upon the quality of the online information provided. These findings may be useful for healthcare providers and patients alike in understanding the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT.

The health system can reap significant benefits by adopting and implementing innovative measures, as was recently demonstrated and emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we present our bird’s eye view of gastroenterology’s innovative technologies via utilizing a text-mining technique. We analyzed five research fields that comply with innovation: artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), telemedicine, the microbiome, and advanced endoscopy. According to gastroenterology literature, the two most innovative fields were the microbiome and advanced endoscopy. Though artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and telemedicine trailed behind, the number of AI publications in gastroenterology has shown an exponential trend in the last couple of years. While VR and telemedicine are neglected compared to other fields, their implementation could improve physician and patient training, patient access to care, cost reduction, and patient outcomes.