Evaluating ChatGPT’s Utility in Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities in Burn Patients: A Comparative Study With Google

Patients from low-socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds face barriers to quality burn care, such as limited healthcare access and follow-up. Many turn to online resources like Google, which may provide overwhelming or irrelevant information. This study compares the accuracy, readability, and SES-relevance of burn care information from ChatGPT and Google to address these disparities. A standardized set of questions on immediate burn care, medical treatments, and long-term care was developed based on clinical guidelines. Responses from ChatGPT (v4.0) and the first Google search result were analyzed. Two medical students and 2 burn surgeons assessed accuracy using the Global Quality Score (GQS) on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). Readability was measured using the Flesch–Kincaid grade level, and SES relevance was determined by counting responses that included themes related to affordability and access to care. Accuracy, readability, and SES relevance were then compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. ChatGPT provided higher-quality responses (GQS 4.35±0.60) than Google (GQS 2.25±1.10, P <.01). ChatGPT was unanimously preferred for half of the questions. Both platforms had reading grade levels of 8 and 9, but ChatGPT addressed SES issues in 74% of responses, compared to Google’s 33%. ChatGPT outperformed Google in providing accurate, SES-relevant burn care information. Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT may help reduce health information disparities for low-SES patients by offering tailored and user-friendly guidance. Future studies should validate these findings across other clinical topics and patient populations.