BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition requiring continuous self-management to prevent complications. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools like ChatGPT (OpenAI, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) offer potential support in education, monitoring, and decision-making. However, research on its effectiveness in DM self-management remains limited, particularly in Saudi Arabia, necessitating further investigation into its role and impact.

PURPOSE

This study aims to analyze the impact of ChatGPT on DM self-management.

METHODS

A qualitative experimental design was adopted in this study. DM patients after interacting with ChatGPT for a week participated in the interviews, where their perceptions on its impact were recorded. A total of 25 DM patients participated in the study, whose results were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis of interview data revealed 11 themes related to the impact of ChatGPT on DM self-management, which included informational support, personalized recommendations, motivation and support, assistance in decision-making, offering self-care reminders, facilitating communication with healthcare providers, facilitating peer support, providing mental health support, tracking and monitoring, conducting health assessments, and education and awareness.

CONCLUSION

ChatGPT has a positive impact on DM self-management. However, further research is needed due to ChatGPT's novel nature for generalizing results and extending its applicability to other areas of healthcare.