Parents' information needs and perceptions of chatbots regarding self medicating their children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Self-medication for children is common, presenting challenges for parents seeking reliable information.
• Chatbots offer a potential avenue for accessible health information, but their use in pediatric self-medication is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parents' information needs regarding children's self-medication.
• To understand parents' perceptions and expectations of using chatbots for pediatric self-medication.
• To inform the development of effective healthcare chatbots for parents.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with 26 parents.
• Thematic analysis was employed to interpret interview data.
• Data collection occurred between October and December 2023.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: information needs, factors promoting/hindering chatbot use, and design expectations.
• Parents expressed optimism about chatbot convenience, reliability, and potential to reduce medical burdens.
• Key concerns included privacy, financial security, information accuracy, and cost.

Conclusions:

• Parental insights are crucial for designing user-centered chatbots for pediatric self-medication.
• Future chatbots should prioritize privacy, security, clear information, and interactive features.
• Addressing these factors can enhance parental confidence and improve self-medication practices.