Do bots provide correct and adequate guidance regarding acidity: A blinded comparison rated by patients and physicians

Table 1 Domains and scoring criteria for evaluating patient education responses

Domain	Scale	Description	Example anchors
Accuracy	1-4	Is the medical information factually correct, up-to-date, and aligned with current GERD guidelines?	1 = incorrect/misleading; 4 = entirely accurate/evidence-based
Comprehensiveness	1-4	Does the answer cover all important aspects of the question (causes, management, when to seek care) without omissions?	1 = very incomplete; 4 = fully comprehensive
Empathy/tone	1-4	Does the answer communicate in a patient-friendly, empathetic way that acknowledges concerns and emotions?	1 = cold/impersonal; 4 = very empathetic/reassuring
Actionability	1-5	How clear and useful are the next steps or advice for the patient (e.g., lifestyle changes, when to see a doctor)?	1 = no practical advice; 5 = very actionable with clear guidance

Each response was assessed across four domains (accuracy, comprehensiveness, empathy/tone, and actionability) using predefined ordinal scales with example anchors provided. GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.