Patient Perceived Empathy of an AI Chatbot for Atrial Fibrillation Education

Atrial Fibrillation is a chronic disease with significant health consequences like increased risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack and death. Educating patients about the disease is important for them to be able to understand the condition better, feel empowered and take an active part in their care plan. AI technology can potentially be used to impart such education. However, doing so with care and empathy is equally important. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure when AI technology is used to impart education about atrial fibrillation to patients, the humane aspects of the interaction are rigorously tested. This study examines a way to impart atrial fibrillation education through interaction with an AI chatbot, that uses text and links to educational videos. To participate in this study, people need to be age 18 or older and have a history of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation. Approximately 40 individuals will be asked to take part in this study. The first step to the study will be reading through, understanding, and signing an informed consent. People who then agree to join the study will have a one-time interaction with the AI chatbot and structured educational material by using an iPad provided to them for the approximately 1 hour duration of the study. People in the study will obtain atrial fibrillation education by typing one by one on the iPad, up to 10 questions about the disease. Answers will include text and links to videos. Before and after atrial fibrillation education, people who join this study will be asked to fill out a survey. The study team will teach patients how to use the iPad and type in questions.