General practitioners’ Perspectives on LLM Chatbots for Shared Decision-Making

General practitioner (GP) consultations often serve as the first point of contact in a patient’s healthcare journey. It is crucial that patients are well-informed and actively involved in de- cisions about their care, as this supports their autonomy and empowers them to take control of their health. However, many patients experience anxiety and uncertainty regarding their healthcare needs, which can hinder their participation in shared decision-making (SDM). This thesis introduces an interactive chatbot designed to assist patients in preparing for their con- sultations with GPs. To evaluate the potential impact of this technology within general prac- tice, we conducted a thorough evaluation, including interviews with 15 GPs from 12 different practices. The findings showed the common challenges encountered in SDM, the role chat- bots can play in enhancing patient preparation, and how this technology could transform the dynamics of general practice. Additionally, we address the challenges of integrating chatbot technology into clinical practice from the perspective of GPs.