Invited Commentary on ChatGPT: What Every Pediatric Surgeon Should Know About Its Potential Uses and Pitfalls

In brief

This commentary examines the emerging role of ChatGPT and large language models in pediatric surgery, highlighting their potential to reduce administrative burden through automated documentation, coding assistance, and diagnostic image interpretation. The piece addresses both the practical applications and important limitations that pediatric surgeons must understand when integrating AI tools into clinical practice.

• LLMs like ChatGPT are being rapidly adopted across healthcare by institutions, physicians, and patients for clinical and administrative tasks.
• ChatGPT can reduce administrative burden by generating care summaries, assisting with coding/billing, and analyzing diagnostic images.
• LLMs excel at filling gaps in communication, knowledge, and time—identifying solutions and pain points in seconds.
• Pediatric surgeons must understand both the potential uses and inherent pitfalls of AI tools in clinical practice.
• AI can interpret radiographs and pathology slides faster than humans, but clinical oversight remains essential.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.