Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Sep 6, 2022
Date Accepted: May 14, 2023
Usability testing of a beta-prototype chatbot for increasing health literacy of patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Health literacy is low amongst patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and associated with poor health outcomes and increased healthcare utilisation. Lucy LiverBot, an artificial intelligence chatbot was created by a multidisciplinary team at Monash Health, Australia to improve health literacy and self-efficacy in patients with decompensated CLD.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine patient acceptability and engagement with Lucy LiverBot.
Methods:
Lucy LiverBot is a simple, low cost, and scalable digital intervention, which was at beta prototype development phase at the time of testing. A three-part survey was developed using the Unified Acceptance Theory Framework. We conducted a mixed-method study to assess user acceptance of Lucy LiverBot as a tool for health literacy education among 20 ambulatory and hospitalised patients with decompensated CLD at Monash Health. Patients were provided with free reign to interact with Lucy LiverBot on an iPad device.
Results:
Of the 20 participants, 25% found it difficult to learn about their health problems with only 20% having found what they self-classified as trustworthy medical information. Chronic liver disease also affected most of the participants ability to look after themselves with 70% dependent on others for their health care needs, and 55% feeling depressed about their current health status. Participants actively engaged with Lucy LiverBot and identified it as a potential education as well as a potential tool to act as a social companion and improve wellbeing.
Conclusions:
Lucy LiverBot was well received and could be used to improve health literacy in patients with decompensated CLD. The study raised important questions regarding the design of further validation studies to investigate whether Lucy LiverBot can improve clinical outcomes and health related quality of life in patients with decompensated CLD and its utility as an engagement tool with their multidisciplinary team.
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