Human interaction with a virtual assistant in preparation for in-hospital orthopedic consultation. A feasibility and acceptability study in older adults with osteoarthritis
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Published on: July 28, 2022
Walter van der Weegen1,2, Thomas Timmers3,4, Maud Jacobs1
1Sports & Orthopedics Research Centre, St. Anna Hospital, Geldrop, the Netherlands.
Objective:
To assess the feasibility and acceptability of an avatar-based history taking tool for patients referred for knee or hip osteoarthritis.
Methods:
In a single Centre study patients referred for knee or hip osteoarthritis were asked to use an avatar-based history taking tool. The technical basis of this tool was formed by speech recognition (Google Dialogflow), a "rule-based" model and ChatGPT 3.5. To assess feasibility and acceptability patients filled in a modified version of the Artificial-Social-Agent Questionnaire afterwards, with supplemental open questions.
Results:
Of the 40 participating patients (median age 67 years, min: 47.3, max 87.5, 26 women), 36 (87.5 %) scored the digital conversation as natural, 33 (82.5 %) found the avatar easy to use, 31 (77.5 %) were open to using the avatar more often in the future, and 26 (65 %) found the conversation captivating.
Conclusion:
Avatar-based history taking is feasible and accepted by older patients seeking orthopedic care for knee or hip osteoarthritis.Innovation:Avatar-based history taking applications could be offered to patients who are referred for knee or hip osteoarthritis, before they have their face-to-face consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
