Open AccessThe Perspectives of Women and Their Health-Care Providers Regarding Using an ECA to Support Mode of Birth Decisions
Author(s) -
Somphit Chinkam,
Courtney SteerMassaro,
Ivan Herbey,
Zhe Zhang,
Timothy Bickmore,
Allison Shorten
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of perinatal education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1548-8519
pISSN - 1058-1243
DOI - 10.1891/j-pe-d-20-00027
Subject(s) - appeal , embodied cognition , focus group , medicine , work (physics) , medical education , decision support system , health care , nursing , computer science , business , artificial intelligence , mechanical engineering , marketing , economic growth , political science , economics , law , engineering
This study used focus groups to assess the feasibility and acceptability of adapting an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) to support decision-making about mode of birth after previous cesarean. Twelve women with previous cesareans, and eight prenatal providers at an academic, tertiary-care medical center, viewed a prototype ECA and were asked to share feedback on the potential role in helping women prepare for decision-making. Both groups felt that although it was somewhat "robot-like," the ECA could provide easy access to information for patients and could augment the visit with providers. Future work is needed to improve ECA visual appeal and clarify the role and timing for utilization of decision aids using ECA technology to enhance the shared decision-making process.