Can ChatGPT Help General Practitioners Become Acquainted with Conversations About Dying? A Simulated Single-Case Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Steps of the Conversation | Analysis of ChatGPT’s Output |
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(As you enter the room, you offer a gentle smile, and approach the patient’s bed.) Doctor: Hello, Mr. Jones. It’s good to see you. (You extend a warm hand to his daughter.) And you too, Sarah. How are you both doing today? (You pause, giving them space to express their feelings.) Sarah (daughter): We’re managing… but it’s been hard. Dad’s been more tired than usual, and he’s having more pain. I just… I don’t know what to expect. Mr. Jones (patient): I know what’s coming, doc. But I’m not ready. I don’t want to be in pain. Doctor: I hear you both. This is a difficult time, and it’s completely natural to feel uncertain and scared. Let’s talk through it together and make sure you both feel supported and that Mr. Jones is comfortable. | The doctor addressed both the patient and the daughter. The doctor was consciously present during the conversation. The doctor kept the conversation short and simple. No time limits were predefined for the consultation. As this was a home visit, it made sense not to impose time constraints, as the doctor’s presence would have been arranged in advance. |
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Doctor: Mr. Jones, I know you’ve been through a lot with the treatments and the ups and downs. From my perspective, I think we are nearing the final phase of this illness. I don’t expect it to be long now, possibly just days. How do you feel about where things are right now? Mr. Jones: I’ve had some good days and some bad, but I’ve noticed it’s been harder to breathe lately. I’m scared of what’s next. Am I going to… suffer? Doctor: I understand your fear, and I want to reassure you that we’re here to make sure you don’t suffer. My main goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible. We’ll continue managing your symptoms, especially the pain and any discomfort. (Turning to Sarah) Sarah, how are you feeling about this? Sarah: I’ve been trying to prepare for this, but… I don’t know how to let go. I don’t want him to be in pain, and I don’t know what to do when… when things get worse. Doctor: It’s okay to feel that way. This is an emotional time for both of you, and there’s no right way to go through it. We’ll work together to make sure you feel supported too. | The doctor began by asking the patient for his evaluation. The doctor addressed the patient’s approaching death. The doctor used an appropriate questioning style and answered questions honestly and empathetically. The doctor acknowledged the emotions expressed by both the patient and the daughter. Although the doctor did not use words like “dying”, “passing away”, or “death”, the notion was present from the start of the conversation with the patient. |
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Doctor: Let’s talk about what’s most important for you right now, Mr. Jones. What are your biggest concerns as you think about the days ahead? Mr. Jones: I don’t want to be in pain, and I don’t want to be a burden to Sarah. I also want to stay at home if possible. Doctor: Those are all things we can focus on. We can work together to control the pain and make sure Sarah has the support she needs. (Turning to Sarah) Sarah, I know caring for your father has been overwhelming at times. What are your biggest concerns as we approach this stage? Sarah: I’m worried about not knowing what to do, like when to call for help or how to keep him comfortable. I’m afraid I’ll miss something important. Doctor: That’s understandable. We’ll make sure you know what to expect and when to reach out for help. We’ll also make sure you’re not alone in this. | The doctor focused on asking what was most important to the patient and his daughter and inquired about their needs regarding the dying phase. |
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Doctor: Mr. Jones, our main goal right now is to ensure you can pass peacefully and comfortably, with as little pain as possible. Would you agree that’s what we should aim for? Mr. Jones: Yes. That’s what I want. Doctor: And Sarah, it sounds like your goal is to make sure your father is comfortable and to feel prepared for what’s ahead. Is that right? Sarah: Yes, I just don’t want him to suffer. Doctor: Okay, so let’s talk about how we can work towards these goals. We’ll focus on keeping you comfortable, Mr. Jones, with medications that control pain, anxiety, and shortness of breath. Sarah, we’ll also make sure you have clear instructions and someone you can contact 24/7 in case anything changes. | The doctor clarified the goals for the patient’s final days. The doctor included the family caregiver in the conversation. The preferred place of death was not discussed in this part of the conversation, but the patient had previously informed the doctor of the desire to stay at home if possible. Cultural and religious backgrounds related to dying and death were not addressed. |
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Doctor: So here’s the plan: we’ll adjust your medications, Mr. Jones, to make sure your pain is well controlled. If you experience any symptoms, like trouble breathing or anxiety, we’ll have medications ready for that too. (Turning to Sarah) Sarah, we’ll set up home hospice services if they’re not in place already. This means a nurse can come by regularly, and you’ll have access to help any time of the day or night. If Mr. Jones’ condition changes or if there’s anything you’re unsure about, you can call the hospice team. I’ll also be available to check in. Sarah: That helps, knowing someone will be here when we need it. Doctor: We’ll also prepare for the possibility that things may change quickly. If you’re hoping for the best but planning for the worst, we’ll have a backup plan. That way, you’ll know what to expect no matter what happens. | The doctor created a reliable care plan based on prioritized needs and involved the patient’ s daughter in the process. |
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Doctor: Just to review, our main focus now is on keeping you comfortable, Mr. Jones. Sarah, we’ll ensure you’re supported as well. I’ll update the hospice team on the changes in Mr. Jones’ condition, and they’ll visit regularly to help you manage. (Looking at both of them) Does this plan feel right for you? Is there anything we’ve missed? Mr. Jones: That sounds good, doc. I just want to rest now. Sarah: It helps to have a plan. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly. Doctor: I’m glad. You’re both doing incredibly well, considering the circumstances. | The doctor clarified the sharing of information with the hospice team in case the patient’s health deteriorated and reviewed the care plan with those present. |
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Doctor: Before I go, do you have any more questions? Or anything else you’d like to talk about? Sarah: No… I think we’re okay for now. Just, thank you. Doctor: Of course. I’m here whenever you need me. (You gently place your hand on Sarah’s shoulder, then Mr. Jones’ hand.) You both have my full support, and I’ll check in again soon. (With a quiet nod and reassuring eye contact, you stand up to leave, letting the room settle into a calm and quiet space.) | The doctor allowed time for open questions and remained present and respectful when closing the conversation. |
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Prazeres, F. Can ChatGPT Help General Practitioners Become Acquainted with Conversations About Dying? A Simulated Single-Case Study. Healthcare 2025, 13, 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070835
Prazeres F. Can ChatGPT Help General Practitioners Become Acquainted with Conversations About Dying? A Simulated Single-Case Study. Healthcare. 2025; 13(7):835. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070835
Chicago/Turabian StylePrazeres, Filipe. 2025. "Can ChatGPT Help General Practitioners Become Acquainted with Conversations About Dying? A Simulated Single-Case Study" Healthcare 13, no. 7: 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070835
APA StylePrazeres, F. (2025). Can ChatGPT Help General Practitioners Become Acquainted with Conversations About Dying? A Simulated Single-Case Study. Healthcare, 13(7), 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070835