Evaluation of a Chatbot to Maximize Hereditary Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment in an Underserved Gynecology Population

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a mobile health platform called a chatbot, which uses artificial intelligence and natural language processing to improve communication about genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk. The study focuses on patients at increased risk of familial cancer syndromes in a Medicaid gynecology clinic. The goal is to see if the chatbot can increase recommendations for genetic testing and to understand factors affecting patient access and use of genetic services. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the chatbot intervention or usual care. The chatbot starts conversations via text messages to collect personal and family cancer history, identifies high-risk patients using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria, provides pre-test genetic counseling, and notifies clinicians to recommend genetic testing. The usual care group will have clinicians collect family history during visits and recommend testing based on NCCN criteria. Genetic testing orders are completed by clinicians for interested patients in both groups. During the two-year study period, participants will be monitored for the proportion recommended genetic testing and the proportion who complete testing. Researchers will assess barriers and facilitators related to inequities in genetic service utilization. Data will be collected through chatbot interactions, clinician evaluations, and follow-up. The study is sponsored by Weill Medical College of Cornell University and aims to improve hereditary cancer risk assessment in an underserved population.

Chatbot to Maximize Hereditary Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment