To compare the quality of Google, ChatGPT, and providers in answering common questions regarding vestibular schwannoma.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Clinicians should be aware that patients may arrive having consulted AI tools about vestibular schwannoma; the accuracy gap between AI and provider counseling identified here warrants proactive discussion of any AI-sourced information during appointments.
As patients increasingly use AI chatbots for health information, understanding where AI counseling falls short for vestibular schwannoma—a diagnosis with nuanced management options—is important for patient safety and shared decision-making.
- 01Study directly compares Google, ChatGPT, and clinical providers on accuracy of vestibular schwannoma patient counseling.
- 02Evaluates AI-generated content as a patient-facing health information source for a complex otologic diagnosis.
- 03Vestibular schwannoma management involves watchful waiting, radiation, or surgery—nuance that may challenge AI systems.
- 04Findings have implications for how clinics communicate with patients who self-research before or after diagnosis.
- 05Published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology, a peer-reviewed journal.
AI-generated counseling (ChatGPT and Google) differs in accuracy from clinical provider counseling for vestibular schwannoma questions.
studyunclearChatGPT can generate patient counseling responses for vestibular schwannoma.
studysupported- PMID
- 42805092
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104948.
- Journal
- American Journal of Otolaryngology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Patient questions about vestibular schwannoma evaluated across AI and human provider sources
- Intervention
- AI-generated patient counseling (ChatGPT and Google)
- Comparator
- Clinical provider counseling
Primary outcomes
Accuracy of AI-generated responses to patient vestibular schwannoma questions; Comparison of accuracy across Google, ChatGPT, and clinical providers