An AI-Based Chatbot to Support Health-Related Social Needs among Pediatric Primary Care Population: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Emre Sezgin, Elizabeth Clarkson, Faith Logan...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41332826/Actively Recruiting
Led by Emre Sezgin · Updated on 2026-05-11
70
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
Researchers are evaluating whether the DAPHNE chatbot can improve caregiver engagement, usability, and the integration of social care support tools into clinical workflows for caregivers of pediatric patients at Nationwide Childrens Hospital Primary Care Center. This pilot randomized clinical trial compares the DAPHNE chatbot intervention with the standard of care to assess its usability, acceptability, and burden over six months, as well as its effectiveness in integrating with primary care provider workflows. The study has two main groups one using the DAPHNE chatbot and a control group receiving standard health-related social needs HRSN screening and referral services as usual. The chatbot is an AI-powered conversational tool accessed via a secure mobile or web application, providing personalized resource recommendations and community service navigation over six months. All healthcare providers will have access to the chatbot, and the intervention is non-invasive and participant-driven. Participants will complete surveys and interviews to assess usability, caregiver burden, quality of life, and social determinants of health at multiple points throughout the six-month period. Providers will complete workflow integration assessments and qualitative interviews. The study will also monitor chatbot engagement, technical performance, and recruitment throughout the study duration, with primary outcomes measured at baseline, one, three, and six months post-baseline.
CONDITIONS
AI-Based Personalized Health and Self-Care
E
Emre Sezgin, PhD
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Emre Sezgin
Lead Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | DAPHNE Chatbot | Standard Care |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An AI‑powered conversational chatbot delivered via mobile or web to help caregivers identify and address health‑related social needs over six months | In‑clinic social needs screening and referral services conducted during routine visits as usual care |
| Role in trial | Participants are randomized to receive DAPHNE chatbot plus standard care | Participants receive usual in‑clinic screening and referrals without chatbot access |
| Primary use | To assess feasibility, usability, acceptability, and caregiver engagement with the chatbot for identifying HRSNs | To compare current HRSN screening and referral process in routine care |
| How it is given or performed | Delivered via a secure mobile and web‑based app with natural language interaction, automated prompts over six months | Standard in‑clinic assessments during routine visits, with referrals to social work or care coordination |
| Evidence status | Feasibility, usability, and preliminary engagement data are being collected in this pilot randomized trial; outcomes not yet established | Current in‑clinic HRSN screening is routinely implemented but limited by resource constraints and inconsistent uptake in pediatric care |
| Important limitations | Pilot trial; results are preliminary and focused on feasibility rather than clinical outcomes | Standard screening may miss or delay connection to needed resources due to workflow burden |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
You may qualify if you...
You will not qualify if you...
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit (in-person or remote)
Duration - 6 months
Participants either receive continuous access to the AI-powered DAPHNE chatbot to address health-related social needs over six months, or they receive standard health-related social needs screening and referral services during routine care visits.
Ongoing use of the chatbot for intervention group; routine clinic visits for control group; study surveys at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months
Duration - Up to 6 months post-baseline
Participants complete questionnaires and interviews assessing usability, engagement, social determinants of health, and quality of life through six months post-baseline.
Surveys and interviews at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
3
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Emre Sezgin, Elizabeth Clarkson, Faith Logan...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41332826/Emre Sezgin, Elizabeth Clarkson, Faith Logan...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42008466/Emre Sezgin
Lead Sponsor