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Coconstructing CHAMP, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Pediatric Infectious Symptoms Management: Protocol for a
Jia Lin1,2, Nikhil Jaiswal1,2, Yuanchao Ma1,3
1Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
JMIR Research Protocols
|May 26, 2026
Summary
This study is developing CHAMP, an AI chatbot to help families manage pediatric infections at home. CHAMP aims to provide evidence-based guidance, reduce unnecessary emergency visits, and improve healthcare experiences for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
- Digital Health Tools
Background:
- Acute infectious symptoms are a significant cause of pediatric emergency department visits in Canada.
- Many of these visits are for low-acuity conditions manageable at home.
- AI chatbots present a viable solution for delivering accessible, evidence-based guidance to families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt and co-construct CHAMP (CHatbot to Assist the Management of Pediatric patients), an AI chatbot.
- To support patients and families in managing acute pediatric infectious symptoms.
- To provide timely, tailored, and validated health information for safe at-home self-management and informed care-seeking.
Main Methods:
- A multiphase, mixed-methods participatory study at the Montreal Children's Hospital.
- Engaging a co-construction committee of youth, parents, caregivers, and partners as co-researchers.
- Phased approach including needs assessment, knowledge database co-construction, iterative prototyping, equity/accessibility evaluation, and collaborative ethnography.
Main Results:
- Funding secured in 2024; REB approval obtained December 2024.
- Co-construction committee assembly and Phase 1 recruitment are underway as of December 2025.
- A functional CHAMP prototype grounded in participatory, equitable, and responsible pediatric AI development will be produced.
Conclusions:
- CHAMP aims to support safe at-home self-management of acute infections in children.
- The chatbot has the potential to reduce preventable emergency department visits.
- Findings will inform best practices for pediatric-centered AI health tools and improve patient/family healthcare experiences.
