Chatbots are becoming increasingly popular as a human-computer interface. The traditional best practices normally applied to User Experience (UX) design cannot easily be applied to chatbots, nor can conventional usability testing techniques guarantee accuracy. WeightMentor is a bespoke self-help motivational tool for weight loss maintenance. This study addresses the following four research questions: How usable is the WeightMentor chatbot, according to conventional usability methods?; To what extend will different conventional usability questionnaires correlate when evaluating chatbot usability?; And how do they correlate to a tailored chatbot usability survey score?; What is the optimum number of users required to identify chatbot usability issues?; How many task repetitions are required for a first-time chatbot users to reach optimum task performance (i.e. efficiency based on task completion times)? This paper describes the procedure for testing the WeightMentor chatbot, assesses correlation between typical usability testing metrics, and suggests that conventional wisdom on participant numbers for identifying usability issues may not apply to chatbots. The study design was a usability study. WeightMentor was tested using a predetermined usability testing protocol, evaluating ease of task completion, unique usability errors and participant opinions on the chatbot (collected using usability questionnaires). WeightMentor usability scores were generally high, and correlation between questionnaires was strong. The optimum number of users for identifying chatbot usability errors was 26, which challenges previous research. Chatbot users reached optimum proficiency in tasks after just one repetition. Usability test outcomes confirm what is already known
Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability among active duty service members in the U.S. armed forces. Standard rehabilitative care and complementary and integrative health therapies are used for chronic pain rehabilitation. However, the optimal sequence and duration of these therapies has yet to be determined. This article describes a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) protocol being used to identify the optimal components and sequence of standard rehabilitative care and complementary and integrative health therapies for reducing pain impact and improving other patient outcomes. Active duty service members referred to Madigan Army Medical Center for treatment of chronic pain are being recruited to the Determinants of the Optimal Dose and Sequence of Functional Restoration and Integrative Therapies study. Study participants are randomized to either standard rehabilitative care (physical and occupational therapy and psychoeducation) or complementary and integrative health therapies (chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga and psychoeducation). Those participants who do not respond to the first 3 weeks of treatment are randomized to receive an additional 3 weeks of either (1) the alternative treatment or (2) the first-stage treatment plus the alternative treatment. This study will also determine factors associated with treatment response that can support clinical decision making, such as baseline fitness, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, post-traumatic stress, pain self-efficacy, and biological indicators. The information gained from this research will be applicable to all integrative chronic pain rehabilitation programs throughout the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the broader rehabilitation community.
Obesity and Overweight are significant risk factors for many chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Weight loss is difficult and maintaining weight loss is a greater challenge. Effective communication is hindered by conflicting information and the sensitivity of the subject of obesity. Recent technological solutions for weight loss maintenance are limited. A chatbot would be appropriate for supporting weight loss as it does not require a human operator, is available 24 hours a day, and supports natural communication while maintaining anonymity. Such a system may also be integrated with popular social media platforms such as Facebook Messenger. This paper describes the design and development of the WeightMentor chatbot, a self-help motivational tool for weight loss maintenance. Chatbots may have the potential to contribute to obesity prevention and management.
Recent strategies employed in response to military physician recruitment shortfalls have consisted of increasing financial incentives for students in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) while offering no increased incentive for attendance at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). To gauge the impact of these incentive increases on the decision of medical students to attend USUHS, a prospective e-mail survey of current USUHS medical students was conducted. The survey was distributed to 674 USUHS medical students from all four class years, of which 41% responded. Students were asked to prioritize incentives and disincentives for military service and USUHS, as well as respond to whether recent incentives applied solely to the HPSP would have affected their decision to attend USUHS. Data were assessed using a weighted scale with responses ranked highest receiving a score of 3, responses ranked second receiving a weighted score of 2, and those ranked third receiving a weighted score of 1. The total weighted sum for each question response across the respondent population was then tallied in aggregate and assigned a weighted score to identify factors consistently ranked highest among the students. Patriotic duty and serving uniformed personnel were ranked most appealing about military service. Combat and deployment considerations were ranked least appealing about military service. Also of note, numerous survey comment box responses highlighted the perceived advantages of pooling resources between the two programs to benefit military medical student recruitment and training. Survey results suggested that current enhanced financial incentives and shorter service obligation offered by the HPSP make attendance of USUHS less appealing for current USUHS students and may negatively impact recruitment and retention of USUHS medical officers. Commensurate incentives such as promotion and credit for time in service while attending USUHS were identified by current USUHS medical students as a possible means of improving USUHS appeal.
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