Yi-Huan Tang, a second-year student at Aston Medical School, has won the prestigious 2023 Rosalind Franklin Essay Prize.

The annual essay writing competition, open to students in their second year at Aston Medical School,was launched in 2020 in memory of the pioneering chemist and x-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, by her nephew Dr Daniel Franklin. Rosalind’s work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal and graphite. Daniel is an Aston University alumnus, having received his PhD from the university in 1981, and an honorary degree in 2013. He has been executive editor of The Economist since 2003.

This year’s title, The Impact of ChatGPT on Medical Education and Patient Care: Advantages, Limitations, and Ethical Implications, was chosen by medical school faculty.

“It was an inspired choice: highly relevant and topical, with many aspects to explore, both regarding the personal experience of studying medicine today and for the implications for health care in the future. It clearly stimulated the students: the standard of the essays was really impressive,” said Daniel, who sits on the judging panel with faculty staff.

Yi-Huan discussed how ChatGPT can be helpful to medical students, educators, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, and its potential to improve efficiency. He highlighted limitations, including ChatGPT’s tendency to ‘hallucinate’ – effectively invent answers or generate falsehoods – and concerns around confidentiality and consent.

He said:

“I have reflected on my experience with ChatGPT and supported my points with existing research and real-life examples. I believe these helped strengthen my arguments. I also proposed regulations which could help maximise the benefit of using ChatGPT in the medical field.

“I feel grateful and honoured to be awarded the first prize in the competition. I would like to thank Dr Franklin and the judging panel for making this competition possible. I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about the topic and reflecting on my experience with ChatGPT.”

The runner-up was Saifullah Hashim. His essay highlighted pros of ChatGPT such as its potential to improve IT systems, communications, error detection, patient safety and student education, cons such as inaccurate information, biases, unclear accountability and the potential patient safety hazards. He believes that ChatGPT has the potential to fix many core issues in healthcare organisations like the NHS if challenges can be addressed.

Daniel commented:

“Both the winning essays were exceptionally thoughtful and deeply researched, as well as being clearly presented and well written. They were admirably rounded offerings, and sophisticated explorations of the topic.

“The prize offers an extra dimension to Aston medical students, a chance to stretch themselves and reflect on a pertinent topic. For everyone who takes part, I hope this is a refreshing opportunity. For the winners it is an achievement they can take pride in now and into the future.”

The winning essay receives a prize of £750 and the runner-up is awarded £250.