JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

One of the most complicated medical needs of older adults is managing their complex medication regimens. However, the use of technology to aid older adults in this endeavor is impeded by the fact that their technological capabilities are lower than much of the rest of the population. What is needed to help manage medications, then, is a technology that seamlessly integrates within their comfort levels, including the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) agents.

Objective:

To assess the benefits, barriers, and information needs that can be provided by an AI-powered medication information chatbot for older adults.

Methods:

Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with geriatric experts. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Each interview was coded by two investigators using a semi-open coding method for qualitative analysis and reconciliation was performed with a third investigator. All codes are organized into Benefit/Non-Benefit , Barrier/Non-Barrier, and Need categories. Iterative re-coding and member checking was performed until convergence was reached for all interviews.

Results:

The greatest Benefits of a medication information chatbot would be to overcome vision and dexterity hurdles experienced by most older adults as it uses voice-based technology. Next, it also helps with increasing older adult’s medication knowledge, adherence and supports their overall health. The main Barriers were technology familiarity and cost, especially in lower socio-economic older adults as well as security and privacy concerns. It was noted, however, that technology familiarity was not an insurmountable Barrier for younger seniors (ages 65-75), who have mostly owned smartphones, whereas older seniors (75+) may have never been major users of technology in the first place. The most important Needs were to be usable, to help patients with reminders, and to provide information on medication side effects and usage instructions.

Conclusions:

Our needs analysis derived from expert interviews clarifies that a voice-based chatbot could be very beneficial to improve adherence and overall health if it is built to serve the many medication information needs of older adults like reminders, instructions, etc. However, the chatbot would have to be usable and affordable for its widespread use.