Health chatbots acceptability moderated by perceived stigma and severity: A cross-sectional survey

Miles, O., West, R. and Nadarzynski, T. 2021. Health chatbots acceptability moderated by perceived stigma and severity: A cross-sectional survey. Digital Health. 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076211063012

TitleHealth chatbots acceptability moderated by perceived stigma and severity: A cross-sectional survey
TypeJournal article
AuthorsMiles, O., West, R. and Nadarzynski, T.
Abstract

Background: Chatbots and virtual voice assistants are increasingly common in primary care without sufficient evidence for their feasibility and effectiveness. We aimed to assess how perceived stigma and severity of various health issues are associated with the acceptability for three sources of health information and consultation: an automated chatbot, a General Practitioner (GP), or a combination of both. Methods: Between May and June 2019, we conducted an online study, advertised via Facebook, for UK citizens. It was a factorial simulation experiment with three within-subject factors (perceived health issue stigma, severity, and consultation source) and six between-subject covariates. Acceptability rating for each consultation source was the dependant variable. A single mixed-model ANOVA was performed.
Results: Amongst 237 participants (65% aged over 45 years old, 73% women), GP consultations were seen as most acceptable, followed by GP-chatbot service. Chatbots were seen least acceptable as a consultation source for severe health issues, while the acceptability was significantly higher for stigmatised health issues. No associations between participants’ characteristics and acceptability were found.
Conclusions: Although healthcare professionals are perceived as the most desired sources of health information, chatbots
may be useful for sensitive health issues in which disclosure of personal information is challenging. However, chatbots
are less acceptable for health issues of higher severity and should not be recommended for use within that context.
Policymakers and digital service designers need to recognise the limitations of health chatbots. Future research should
establish a set of health topics most suitable for chatbot-led interventions and primary healthcare services.

KeywordsArtificial intelligence
chatbots
bot
healthcare
acceptability
health bot
JournalDigital Health
Journal citation7
ISSN2055-2076
Year2021
PublisherSage
Publisher's version
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076211063012
Publication dates
Published online08 Dec 2021
Supplemental file
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)

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