Publication

Automating untruths: ChatGPT, self-managed medication abortion, and the threat of misinformation in a post-Roe world

Downloadable Content

Persistent URL
Last modified
  • 06/25/2025
Type of Material
Authors
    Hayley McMahon, Emory UniversityBrian D. McMahon, Independent Researcher, Atlanta, GA
Language
  • English
Date
  • 2024
Publisher
  • Frontiers
Publication Version
Copyright Statement
  • © 2024 McMahon and McMahon.
License
Final Published Version (URL)
Title of Journal or Parent Work
Volume
  • 6
Start Page
  • 1287186
Grant/Funding Information
  • The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Publication of this article was financially supported by the Emory University Open Access Publishing Fund.
Abstract
  • Background ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot that uses natural language processing to understand and execute prompts in a human-like manner. While the chatbot has become popular as a source of information among the public, experts have expressed concerns about the number of false and misleading statements made by ChatGPT. Many people search online for information about self-managed medication abortion, which has become even more common following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It is likely that ChatGPT is also being used as a source of this information; however, little is known about its accuracy. Objective To assess the accuracy of ChatGPT responses to common questions regarding self-managed abortion safety and the process of using abortion pills. Methods We prompted ChatGPT with 65 questions about self-managed medication abortion, which produced approximately 11,000 words of text. We qualitatively coded all data in MAXQDA and performed thematic analysis. Results ChatGPT responses correctly described clinician-managed medication abortion as both safe and effective. In contrast, self-managed medication abortion was inaccurately described as dangerous and associated with an increase in the risk of complications, which was attributed to the lack of clinician supervision. Conclusion ChatGPT repeatedly provided responses that overstated the risk of complications associated with self-managed medication abortion in ways that directly contradict the expansive body of evidence demonstrating that self-managed medication abortion is both safe and effective. The chatbot's tendency to perpetuate health misinformation and associated stigma regarding self-managed medication abortions poses a threat to public health and reproductive autonomy.
Author Notes
Keywords
Research Categories
  • Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Artificial Intelligence

Tools

Relations

In Collection:

Items

Thumbnail Title File Description Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details Publication File - w9c6g.pdf Primary Content 2025-06-04 Public Download