None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to test the acceptability and feasibility of a texting service created by FiosHealth Ltd for orthopaedic surgery, which allows patients to ask questions about their surgery. 30 current orthopaedic patients will be asked to try the texting service and give their feedback as to its acceptability and feasibility. The results will inform a future RCT on its effectiveness compared to a control group.
Interventions
Fioshealth Ltd has built a digital assistant that combines texting with artificial intelligence (AI) that allows patients to ask it questions and get trusted answers. This service has been created by surgeons who prepared a list of frequent patient questions along with tailored answers. AI matches the question that the patient asks to a question in its database and provides the surgeon’s answer. This texting service is accessible via SMS text and WhatsApp. They will be sent an introductory messa
Fioshealth Ltd has built a digital assistant that combines texting with artificial intelligence (AI) that allows patients to ask it questions and get trusted answers. This service has been created by surgeons who prepared a list of frequent patient questions along with tailored answers. AI matches the question that the patient asks to a question in its database and provides the surgeon’s answer. This texting service is accessible via SMS text and WhatsApp. They will be sent an introductory message via SMS or WhatsApp to begin using the service. There is no minimum amount of time or questions that the participants will be asked to spend using the digital assistant. They will be given access to the assistant from enrolment until 3 weeks after their surgery, for a total of about 9-11 weeks. Examples of questions and answers that may be provided through the digital assistant include: "Hi [patient name], I am a digital assistant that is trained with clinical knowledge from University of Aucklnad. Feel free to message me anytime, I am here to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. If you'd like, you can also share more about your situation, such as what procedure you're preparing or any pain or symptoms you're experiencing so I can provide more specific answers." "[patient name], during knee replacement, your damaged knee surfaces are removed and replaced with metal and plastic parts. Surgery takes 1-2 hours. Want to know more about recovery?" "Recovery starts with walking (with help) soon after surgery. Most return to daily activities in 3 months, full strength 6-12 months. Need tips for home prep?" "Prep your home by clearing walkways, setting up a comfy chair, and placing essentials within reach. Would you like a full checklist, [patient name]?" These responses may send a link to a pre-approved video by Healthify about knee surgery. The research team can log in to the FiosHealth portal to monitor and see whether messages have been delivered and received. WhatsApp also gives a double tick to indicate whether the messages have been received and read.
Sponsors
University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Eligible participants must be 18-years-old or older and have a mobile phone. They must be current patients of the surgeon researchers. They must be on the waitlist for knee surgery and give written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Any patients who are deemed by the surgeons not suitable for the texting service due to surgery being different to standard procedures.
Outcome results
None listed