Association of Primary Care Access with Health-Related ChatGPT Use: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: ChatGPT has quickly gained popularity as a source of online health information (OHI). However, it is unclear how having a usual source of primary care (USPC) is related to OHI-seeking. Objective: Explore how having a USPC and other characteristics thought to affect access-to-care influence the use of ChatGPT and other OHI forms. Design: Cross-sectional national survey. Participants: Adult members of ResearchMatch, a non-profit affiliate of the National Institutes of Health, between June and August 2023. Main Measures: The survey evaluated demographics, health characteristics, and OHI-seeking behaviors, including ChatGPT usage. OHI sources were categorized as “passive” (Google, Wikipedia, WebMD) and “interactive” (forums, Q&A sites, ChatGPT). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square tests compared users by USPC status. Multiple logistic regression estimated adjusted effects on ChatGPT use. Key Results: Of 21,499 adults invited to participate in the survey, 2406 (11.2%) responded. Among respondents, 56% reported having a USPC. Those with a USPC, compared to those without, were older, spoke English as their primary language, had higher income, and had more formal education (all p