Large Language Model Influence on Management Reasoning: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ImportanceLarge language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) systems have shown promise in diagnostic reasoning, but their utility in management reasoning with no clear right answers is unknown. ObjectiveTo determine whether LLM assistance improves physician performance on open-ended management reasoning tasks compared to conventional resources. DesignProspective, randomized controlled trial conducted from 30 November 2023 to 21 April 2024. SettingMulti-institutional study from Stanford University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Virginia involving physicians from across the United States. Participants92 practicing attending physicians and residents with training in internal medicine, family medicine, or emergency medicine. InterventionFive expert-developed clinical case vignettes were presented with multiple open-ended management questions and scoring rubrics created through a Delphi process. Physicians were randomized to use either GPT-4 via ChatGPT Plus in addition to conventional resources (e.g., UpToDate, Google), or conventional resources alone. Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was difference in total score between groups on expert-developed scoring rubrics. Secondary outcomes included domain-specific scores and time spent per case. ResultsPhysicians using the LLM scored higher compared to those using conventional resources (mean difference 6.5 %, 95% CI 2.7-10.2, p<0.001). Significant improvements were seen in management decisions (6.1%, 95% CI 2.5-9.7, p=0.001), diagnostic decisions (12.1%, 95% CI 3.1-21.0, p=0.009), and case-specific (6.2%, 95% CI 2.4-9.9, p=0.002) domains. GPT-4 users spent more time per case (mean difference 119.3 seconds, 95% CI 17.4-221.2, p=0.02). There was no significant difference between GPT-4-augmented physicians and GPT-4 alone (-0.9%, 95% CI -9.0 to 7.2, p=0.8). Conclusions and RelevanceLLM assistance improved physician management reasoning compared to conventional resources, with particular gains in contextual and patient-specific decision-making. These findings indicate that LLMs can augment management decision-making in complex cases. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06208423; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06208423 Key PointsO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSDoes large language model (LLM) assistance improve physician performance on complex management reasoning tasks compared to conventional resources? FindingsIn this randomized controlled trial of 92 physicians, participants using GPT-4 achieved higher scores on management reasoning compared to those using conventional resources (e.g., UpToDate). MeaningLLM assistance enhances physician management reasoning performance in complex cases with no clear right answers.