Integrating ChatGPT to support children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus in South African healthcare: Perspectives of healthcare professionals and academics

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus among children and adolescents in South Africa presents a major public health challenge, compounded by limited resources, inadequate infrastructure and poor disease management. Given these challenges, innovative solutions such as ChatGPT are essential to offer immediate, personalised education and social support to children and adolescents with diabetes.
Aim: The study explored the integration of ChatGPT to support children and adolescents with diabetes in South African healthcare.
Setting: This study was conducted with experts working in various organisations and institutions across Gauteng province of South Africa.
Methods: A qualitative research design was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with paediatric endocrinologists, diabetologists, diabetes educators and senior academics through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and ATLAS.ti version 23.
Results: The findings of the study revealed four key themes: perceptions of ChatGPT (both positive and negative); ethical concerns related to data security, reliability and technology overreliance; factors influencing acceptance, including usability, trust and accuracy; and obstacles to integration, such as technological, social and financial barriers.
Conclusion: The study underscores the critical need for policy and regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development and government support in facilitating ChatGPT integration in South African healthcare to improve diabetes care.
Contribution: This study contributes to the broader discourse on digital health innovations and their role in enhancing chronic disease management among vulnerable populations in South Africa.