What Do Koreans Really Think About TB Treatment?

Korea has been dealing with tuberculosis (TB) for a long time. To understand how people feel about TB treatment, researchers looked at online questions asked from 2002 to 2024. They used a special kind of computer program called a large language model (LLM) to sort through all the data. People often have many questions and worries about TB medicine. The study found that these worries have changed over time. For example, some people are concerned about the side effects of the medicine. Others wonder how long they need to take it. A few even question if the treatment is really necessary. The study also showed that LLMs can be very helpful. They can quickly go through a lot of information and find important patterns. This can help doctors and health workers understand what people are worried about. However, there are some problems. The data from online questions might not represent everyone. People who ask questions online might have different concerns than those who don't. Also, the language used in online questions can be informal and hard to understand. Despite these issues, the study provides valuable insights. It shows that public perceptions about TB treatment are complex. It also highlights the potential of LLMs in healthcare research. By understanding these perceptions, health officials can better address people's concerns and improve TB treatment in Korea.