Can Large Language Models Replicate Systematic Review Outcome Classifications in Medical Education? A Pilot Study Using Kirkpatrick Levels

Abstract

Systematic reviews in medical education often classify outcomes using the Kirkpatrick framework, but manual coding is time-consuming and subjective. We conducted a proof-of-concept study testing ChatGPT (GPT-5, August 2025 release) on 32 full-text articles from a published systematic review of sepsis education. Agreement with human-coded outcomes was modest: 50% percent agreement, unweighted κ = 0.170 (95% CI 0.000–0.458), weighted κ = 0.351 (95% CI 0.074–0.629). Most disagreements were between adjacent levels.