When investigator meets large language models: a qualitative analysis of cancer patient decision-making journeys

When investigator meets large language models: a qualitative analysis of cancer patient decision-making journeys

Large language models (LLMs) are transforming the landscape of healthcare research, yet their role in qualitative analysis remains underexplored. This study compares human-led and LLM-assisted approaches to analyzing cancer patient narratives, using 33 semi-structured interviews. We conducted three parallel analyses: investigator-led thematic analysis, ChatGPT-4o, and Gemini Advance Pro 1.5. The investigator-led approach identified psychosocial …