Research Article

Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability

Volume: 65 Number: 3 September 3, 2026
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Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability

Abstract

Aim: To compare the reliability and usefulness of GPT-4.1 mini and GPT-5 in postmastectomy lymphedema patient education. Materials and Methods: Twenty patient-centered questions were developed from reputable sources. Responses from both models were independently rated by three blinded physiatrists using 7-point Likert scales for reliability and usefulness. Results: GPT-5 demonstrated higher usefulness and reliability scores compared to GPT-4.1 mini (p = 0.005 and p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusions: Both models produced reliable and useful responses for lymphedema education. GPT-5 demonstrated higher usefulness and reliability scores, although these differences appear to reflect incremental improvements rather than substantial differences in clinical applicability. GPT-4.1 mini may already support basic patient education tasks. Future research should integrate patient usability data and real-time clinical resources to optimize AI-assisted rehabilitation.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Oncology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 3, 2026

Submission Date

February 18, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 65 Number: 3

APA
Ata, B. N., Cinar, E., & Eyigör, S. (2026). Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability. Ege Tıp Dergisi, 65(3), 519-526. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1891901
AMA
1.Ata BN, Cinar E, Eyigör S. Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability. EJM. 2026;65(3):519-526. doi:10.19161/etd.1891901
Chicago
Ata, Benil Nesli, Ece Cinar, and Sibel Eyigör. 2026. “Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability”. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65 (3): 519-26. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1891901.
EndNote
Ata BN, Cinar E, Eyigör S (September 1, 2026) Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65 3 519–526.
IEEE
[1]B. N. Ata, E. Cinar, and S. Eyigör, “Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability”, EJM, vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 519–526, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.19161/etd.1891901.
ISNAD
Ata, Benil Nesli - Cinar, Ece - Eyigör, Sibel. “Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability”. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65/3 (September 1, 2026): 519-526. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1891901.
JAMA
1.Ata BN, Cinar E, Eyigör S. Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability. EJM. 2026;65:519–526.
MLA
Ata, Benil Nesli, et al. “Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability”. Ege Tıp Dergisi, vol. 65, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 519-26, doi:10.19161/etd.1891901.
Vancouver
1.Benil Nesli Ata, Ece Cinar, Sibel Eyigör. Evaluating GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5 in Postmastectomy Lymphedema Patient Education: A Comparative Study of Usefulness and Reliability. EJM. 2026 Sep. 1;65(3):519-26. doi:10.19161/etd.1891901

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