Shaping the future: A pilot study on how AI-powered chatbots shape patient perceptions of pharmacist roles

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Background:

• Patient understanding of pharmacist roles is often limited beyond basic dispensing.
• Traditional educational methods may not fully address these knowledge gaps.
• AI-powered chatbots present a novel approach to patient education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the influence of AI chatbots versus traditional methods on patient perceptions of pharmacists.
• To assess AI chatbots' ability to bridge knowledge gaps regarding pharmacy services.
• To evaluate patient engagement and its impact on understanding pharmacist roles.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial with 280 participants comparing a baseline control, educational video, and AI chatbot interaction.
• Surveys assessed trust, comfort, and communication using 7-point Likert scales.
• AI chatbot utilized ChatGPT4-o with identical information to the video; engagement metrics were analyzed.

Main Results:

• AI chatbot engagement significantly improved patient perceptions of pharmacist roles.
• Active participation in the AI chatbot led to better understanding beyond dispensing.
• Engagement depth, not modality, was the critical determinant of improved outcomes.

Conclusions:

• AI chatbots effectively address knowledge gaps about pharmacist roles through active patient participation.
• Engagement level is crucial for educational effectiveness, complementing human pharmacist interactions.
• AI chatbots serve as valuable supplements to traditional patient education for understanding pharmacist capabilities.