On the Potential, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Chat Bots in Public Health Research Going Forward

Abstract

This paper will discuss whether bots, particularly chat bots, can be useful in public health research and health or pharmacy systems operations. Bots have been discussed for many years; particularly when coupled with artificial intelligence, they offer the opportunity of automating mundane or error-ridden processes and tasks by replacing human involvement with bots. This paper will discuss areas where there are greater advances in the use of bots, as well as areas that may benefit from the use of bots, and will offer practical ways to get started with bot technology. Several popular bot applications and bot development tools along with practical security considerations will be discussed, and a toolbox that one can begin to use to implement bots will be presented.

Free interactive counselling program in a mobile communication application for improving health education on indwelling ureteric stents after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy: An observational study

“…Previous studies show that chatbots can help patients better understand their disease, improve treatment adherence, decrease the workload of medical staff and reduce the risk of hospitalization or emergency department visits. 21,[25][26][27][28] This type of interactive program in a mobile communication app does not require extra equipment and does not usually add to existing medical expenses. By using a free module provided by a mobile communication app, medical staff can design interactive counselling programs that are useful and well received by patients.…”

Barriers and facilitators to engagement with artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbots for sexual and reproductive health advice: a qualitative analysis

“…Mierzwa et al, (2019) demonstrated low engagement and modest acceptability of medial chatbots, due to their inability to understand or display human emotion, highlighting the importance of cognitive and affective empathy in sexual health consultations. [27] This is also reflected in the findings of Gao et al, (2020) showing that the absence of the human care aspect and the immaturity of AI technology and distrust of related companies were the main reasons users held negative attitudes about medical chatbots. [28] As shown in previous research on AI, concerns over data protection and user privacy emerged as a barrier for some: numerous participants suggested a low inclination to interact with sexual health chatbots and to provide any private or personal information that might lead to identification.…”

Present and Future of Digital Health in Diabetes and Metabolic Disease

“…Various digital health-based diabetes education programs, developed by experts, are actively spreading, some supported by studies proving their effectiveness [ 28 ]. Recently, advanced services using chat bots enable active user participation and question and answer sessions [ 29 ]. It needs to be accompanied by a policy of providing effective training to patients and ensuring adequate benefits for both the medical staff and the patients.…”