The utility of the ChatGPT artificial intelligence tool for patient education and enquiry in robotic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ChatGPT (Open AI) artificial intelligence platform's utility and accuracy as a patient education tool in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ChatGPT 3.5 interface ( https://chat.openai.com/chat ) was interrogated and asked the 14 questions related to the frequency of complications of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy as listed on British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) patient information leaflet "Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy)" published July 2021. The AI's responses to each question were tabulated, and compared alongside the official figures quoted from the BAUS information leaflet. A global assessment of the AI's response was also made for accuracy and relevance to patients. RESULTS: Of the 14 questions asked, 11/14 (78.6%) of ChatGPT's quoted figures were considered concordant and comparable to those quoted by the BAUS patient information leaflet. 13/14 (92.9%) of ChatGPT's responses were globally assessed to contain accurate information, appropriate, and pertinent to a patient's potential enquiry. CONCLUSION: ChatGPT is a powerful tool and is able to generate accurate and helpful information for patients seeking information regarding urological procedures and their potential complications. It is not, however, infallible, and urologists should remain vigilant in their patient interactions to any potential misinformation a patient may have gathered from it in their personal research prior to surgery.

Ireland has the highest per capita use of fake tan in the world: effect on dermatology clinics.

Ireland has the highest per capita users of fake tan in the world. We have very often seen the effect of this in our Dermatology clinics. We analysed the number of patients presenting with fake tan to our pigmented lesion clinics, which results in unnecessary rescheduling, further patient anxiety and delay in diagnoses, as well as increasing patient waiting lists. We have included images of the effect of fake tan on dermoscopy and in vivo confocal microscopy - complicating our ability to diagnose. We implemented a change in our practice, which we hope will improve this dilemma.

The future of general surgery in Ireland: factors influencing career decisions of medical students.

INTRODUCTION: The decline in popularity of general surgery as a career has been well described. A number of factors have been put forward to explain this, for example, trainee burnout and perceived difficulty with work/life balance. The aim of this study was to elucidate the reasons for this among medical students in Ireland. METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed to clinical year medical students in Ireland using an online survey via SurveyMonkey™. Domains assessed included demographics, career plan and associated rationale. Anonymised responses were collated and evaluated. RESULTS: There were 307 responses (response 23%). Females accounted for 66% (202). Mean age was 24 years (SD = 2.89). One hundred twelve responses (36%) were contemplating becoming surgeons. One hundred nine-five responses were not considering surgery: however 87 had previously considered. Of the 87, 41 (47%) attributed the decision to work/life balance, 30 (35%) to impact on personal relationships and 10 (11%) blamed unclear career projection. Students interested in surgery were asked to quantify their knowledge of the application process-17 (15%) good, 39 (35%) fair and 56 (50%) poor. CONCLUSION: A small proportion of respondents plan to pursue a career in general surgery. This is concerning in view of attrition rates through junior years. Although lifestyle factors are significant, clarity regarding training pathways was also reported. Undergraduate education regarding career trajectory, quality of life and practicalities of a career in general surgery may increase applications.