NegotiAge: Development and pilot testing of an artificial intelligence-based family caregiver negotiation program

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Conflict Resolution

Background:

• Family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients frequently encounter healthcare-related conflicts.
• A lack of specific training exacerbates difficulties in resolving these disputes.
• The NegotiAge program was developed to address this training gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot test an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered negotiation training program for family caregivers.
• To assess the usability and satisfaction of the NegotiAge program among family caregivers.

Main Methods:

• Negotiation experts, a geriatrician, social worker, and caregivers collaborated on content creation.
• Short videos taught negotiation skills, while caregiver-generated dialogue informed AI avatar development.
• The Interactive Arbitration Guide Online (IAGO) platform was used to create avatar-based agents for practice scenarios.
• Pilot testing involved 12 family caregivers assessing usability and satisfaction via surveys and thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• The NegotiAge program features didactic material and AI-driven negotiation scenarios with human-like avatars exhibiting emotional and irrational behaviors.
• Immediate feedback is provided to users to enhance skill development.
• Pilot testing (n=12) showed high usability scores (e.g., Usefulness: 5.69/7, Ease: 5.24/7, Learn: 5.69/7, Satisfaction: 5.62/7).
• Over 80% of participants agreed the program improved effectiveness, productivity, usefulness, control, and ease of accomplishing goals.
• 91.7% found the program fun, and 100% would recommend it.

Conclusions:

• The NegotiAge program is a usable and feasible tool for training family caregivers in negotiation skills.
• It effectively familiarizes caregivers with common healthcare conflict scenarios.
• AI-driven negotiation training shows promise for supporting family caregivers in complex healthcare situations.