Chain-of-Thought, Tree-of-Thought, and Graph-of-Thought Prompting for Health Triage at Home - A custom GPT App

When faced with a health issue at home, it’s crucial to decide whether to visit a doctor, consult a pharmacist, or manage the symptoms yourself. So, naturally I thought to leverage AI for this task too. However, considering the complexities involved, I decided to use three Prompt Engineering techniques for diagnosis.

This article should provide some good insights in creating and using the modern AI bots. You can also use these three techniques when chatting with modern LLM based bots such as Chat GPT.

This Health and Well-Being Q&A ChatGPT can be helpful for people at home by providing information about health symptoms and conditions. It guides users through understanding their symptoms and assessing their severity, which can be reassuring. However, it’s important to remember that this tool is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It encourages users to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. While it aims to offer helpful information and support, using it with care and seeking professional help when needed is essential for ensuring good health.

Health and Well-Being Q&A ChatGPT App: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-flxiDmjuX-health-and-well-being-q-a

Below we will talk about those three techniques with examples.

Chain-of-Thought (CoT)

Tree-of-Thought (ToT)

Graph-of-Thought (GoT)

1. Chain-of-Thought (CoT) Prompting

Description: CoT involves breaking down complex tasks into sequential steps, similar to human reasoning processes. This technique helps ensure each part of the problem is addressed logically and thoroughly.

Application: Used in AI models to solve problems step-by-step, improving accuracy and clarity in decision-making.

Example Scenario: Evaluating Cold Symptoms

1. Identify Symptoms: List all your symptoms. "I have a sore throat, runny nose, and mild fever."
2. Assess Severity: Evaluate each symptom's severity. "The sore throat is moderate, the runny nose is constant, and the fever is 38°C."
3. Check Duration: Consider how long you’ve had these symptoms. "The symptoms have been present for two days."
4. Identify Risk Factors: Think about any underlying health conditions. "No chronic illnesses, non-smoker."
5. Determine Action: Mild Symptoms: "If symptoms are mild and manageable, consider home remedies and rest. "Moderate Symptoms: "For persistent fever, consult a pharmacist. "Severe Symptoms: "If symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately."

2. Tree-of-Thought (ToT) Prompting

• Description: ToT explores multiple potential pathways at each step, resembling branches of a tree. This method allows AI to consider various possibilities and choose the most logical path.
• Application: Enhances AI’s ability to handle complex scenarios by evaluating different outcomes and their implications.

Example Scenario: Evaluating Cold Symptoms

1. Symptom Identification: List symptoms (e.g., sore throat, fever).
2. Branching Out: Consider different possible diagnoses: Common Cold: Mild symptoms, rest and fluids recommended. Flu: Severe symptoms, might require antiviral medication. Strep Throat: Severe sore throat, might require antibiotics.
3. Evaluation: Common Cold: Symptoms are mild and not worsening, likely a cold. Flu: Fever and body aches, could be flu. Strep Throat: Severe sore throat without coughing, possibly strep throat.
4. Selection: Based on symptom severity and progression: If symptoms align more with a common cold, rest and home remedies might suffice. If symptoms are severe, consult a pharmacist or doctor.

3. Graph-of-Thought (GoT) Prompting

• Description: GoT structures the reasoning process as a network of interconnected thoughts or steps, allowing exploration of multiple pathways and interconnections simultaneously.
• Application: Used for more complex, multifaceted problems where multiple interrelated factors need to be considered, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation and solution.

Example Scenario: Evaluating Cold Symptoms

1. Identify Symptoms: List symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, fatigue).
2. Map Possible Diagnoses: Node 1: Common Cold (connections: runny nose, mild headache)Node 2: Flu (connections: high fever, body aches, fatigue)Node 3: Migraine (connections: severe headache, nausea)Node 4: COVID-19 (connections: fever, fatigue, difficulty breathing)
3. Evaluate Interconnections: Fever connected to both Flu and COVID-19.Headache connected to Migraine and Cold.Fatigue connected to Flu and COVID-19.
4. Assess Severity and Risk: Weigh the likelihood of each diagnosis based on symptom severity and duration.
5. Determine Next Steps: Based on the interconnected symptoms and potential diagnoses, decide whether to self-care, consult a pharmacist, or visit a doctor.

Conclusion

By combining CoT, ToT, and GoT prompting, you can systematically break down and evaluate your symptoms, consider multiple potential diagnoses, and make a well-informed decision about seeking medical care. These techniques ensure that you take appropriate actions based on the severity and duration of your symptoms, providing a structured and comprehensive approach to home health triage.