ChatGPT & Surgeon Synergy: Redefining Breast Reconstruction Consultations for Enhanced Patient Engagement and Satisfaction

The Washington University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Breast Cancer; Cancer of the Breast

Treatments: Other: Usual patient education; Other: ChatGPT-generated patient education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06981208

202505097

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this study, patients who are scheduled for breast reconstruction consultation will be randomized into the intervention group (ChatGPT-generated patient education regarding possible reconstruction options) or the control group (usual patient education). All patients will complete a survey following their in-person consultation to assess their experience and overall satisfaction with the consultation process. Additionally, participating surgeons will complete a separate survey to evaluate their consultation experience, satisfaction, and to assess the accuracy and clinical utility of the ChatGPT-generated patient education materials. The surveys are designed to gather information on patient characteristics, organizational health literacy according to Brega et al. Other survey questions have been designed to meet the outcomes of this study and have not been based on previously published surveys.

Enrollment: 410 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Patient Eligibility Criteria:

• Scheduled for initial preoperative breast reconstruction consultation following therapeutic or prophylactic mastectomy with a surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Can speak and understand English.

Surgeon Eligibility Criteria:

• Routinely performs breast reconstruction surgery at Washington University School of Medicine.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Can speak and understand English.
• Surgeon must not be a resident or fellow at time of enrollment.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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410 participants in 3 patient groups

ChatGPT-generated patient education

Experimental group

Description:

* Pre-consultation ChatGPT patient education: The patients randomized into the ChatGPT education group will receive a ChatGPT patient education on paper prior to their consultation. The ChatGPT will write a patient-tailored education regarding possible reconstruction options. The patient will review this independently, without additional input or guidance from a research team member * Patient post-consultation survey: All patients will receive a survey after the planned in-person consultation with the plastic surgeon.

Treatment:

Other: ChatGPT-generated patient education

Usual education

Active Comparator group

Description:

- Patients will not receive any additional information prior to their consultation.

Treatment:

Other: Usual patient education

Surgeons

No Intervention group

Description:

* In order for the surgeon to be blinded to the study arm, all participants will have ChatGPT education created. Participating surgeons will review each patient education sheet prior to the consult and score the accuracy of the provided education sheet. The surgeon will proceed with the consultation as planned. The surgeon is blinded to the patient's study arm as they will be reviewing ChatGPT education for all patients. If any inaccuracies are identified in the patient education sheet, the surgeon will address this with the study team and have the errors fixed prior to providing to the patient. * The surgeon will receive a survey after each in-person consultation, covering patient experience, surgeon experience, and education material accuracy.