Chatbots and Their Applications in Medical Fields: Current Status and Future Trends: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background and Aim: Chatbots are computer programs, which are devised to simulate conversations through voice or textual interactive forms. These applications offer multiple benefits in patient education, clinical decision-making, interpersonal communication, research activities, data analysis and administrative affairs. The present scoping review aims to analyse the current role, pitfalls, challenges and future scope of these modalities in diverse fields of medical science. Methods: Literature search was made on 9 April 2024, on five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar). A narrative approach was used for the synthesis of results. Results: Our literature search yielded 1024 studies. After the de-duplication of manuscripts using Endnote, 342 articles were identified. After title and abstract screening, 74 articles were included for the next round of screening. Finally, 14 articles were selected for this scoping review.Diverse chatbot applications have been developed at a growing rate for use in medical science. There is a gradual shift towards employing machine learning-based strategies to develop chatbot programs. Chatbots have a significant potential to revolutionise diverse aspects of medicine including patient care, academic activities, and research endeavours. Conclusion: Artificial Intelligence can be highly effective in streamlining the routine functions and activities in medical care. Chatbots have the potential to meliorate the accessibility, efficiency and standard of medical care. However, the need for further validation through high-quality studies to ensure patient privacy, strategies to conform to patients’ data security, accuracy and precision of the technology and mitigating potential pitfalls in its routine utilisation globally are warranted.