AI Chatbot for Wellness Goals

This trial tests an AI chatbot called PrioritiesAI, designed to help patients identify and discuss their health goals before elective hernia surgery. The study aims to determine if the chatbot can improve patients' understanding of their priorities and enhance communication with their doctors. English-speaking patients with an upcoming hernia surgery appointment and email access may be suitable candidates.

As an unphased study, this trial provides patients with the opportunity to explore innovative methods for enhancing communication with healthcare providers.

Research has shown that AI chatbots, like PrioritiesAI, are under close examination for their impact on user safety, particularly in mental health areas. Some studies have found that these chatbots sometimes handle sensitive topics poorly. For instance, about 3 to 5% of interactions with AI companions involve mental health issues, which can be challenging for the AI to manage safely.

Recent findings from Brown University indicated that many AI chatbots do not always meet mental health ethics standards. This means the AI might not always provide the best advice for emotional or mental health situations. However, the AI in this trial is designed to help people communicate their health priorities, not to provide mental health advice.

Researchers are excited about the AI Chatbot for Wellness Goals because it uses artificial intelligence to personalize wellness strategies, which is quite different from traditional approaches like generic wellness apps or one-size-fits-all programs. Unlike those options, PrioritiesAI can adapt in real-time to a person's unique lifestyle and preferences, offering tailored advice and motivation. This innovative use of AI might help users achieve their wellness goals more effectively and efficiently, making it a promising tool in personal health management.

Research has shown that AI chatbots can improve mental and emotional well-being. In this trial, participants in the experimental arm will use the AI Chatbot, PrioritiesAI, to support their wellness goals. Specifically, people with depression experienced an average 51% reduction in symptoms when using therapy chatbots. These AI chatbots also show promise in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in adults. However, some studies indicate that not all chatbot tools have proven results. Overall, AI chatbots hold potential in supporting mental health, but their effectiveness can vary.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰