Comparing AI Chatbot PEAR With Traditional Verbal Consent for Anaesthesia Risk Education in Adults Undergoing Elective Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the PEAR Patient Education of Anaesthesia Risks chatbot, a multilingual, AI-driven tool designed to improve patient understanding of anaesthesia risks during the consent process. The trial compares this digital method to the traditional face-to-face verbal consent provided by anaesthetists. PEAR aims to enhance patient education, satisfaction, and reduce preoperative anxiety while supporting clinician workflow without altering standard care. Participants undergoing elective surgery will be randomly assigned to either the PEAR chatbot intervention or the standard verbal consent control group. Those in the intervention group interact with the chatbot prior to meeting their anaesthetist, receiving personalized, interactive education on anaesthesia risks and procedures. The control group receives usual face-to-face counselling by a licensed anaesthetist following institutional protocols. Both groups eventually meet their anaesthetist to ensure clinical oversight. During the study visit, participants complete quizzes and surveys to assess understanding, satisfaction, and anxiety levels. Clinicians record the time and workload involved in each consent method. Data is collected electronically and stored securely. The main outcome measured is patient self-reported understanding of anaesthesia risks immediately after the PEAR interaction. The trial runs until April 2026, including assessments of perceived usefulness, ease of use, cost effectiveness, and behavioral intentions regarding the chatbot.

Effectiveness of Large Language Model for Anaesthesia and Procedural Consent