AI-based e-consults: how patients and clinicians choose between human and AI advice in primary care
Official title: Evaluating the Safety and Appropriateness of AI-based E-Consults for Older Adults in Primary Care
Run by University of Pennsylvania · NCT07766694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Older adults and primary care clinicians will compare human versus AI-generated e-consults to see which factors—who gives the advice, wait time, cost, and quality—matter most when deciding which to use.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 3, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | September 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07766694 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults 65+ who have recent Penn Medicine primary care visits and upcoming appointments, and Penn Medicine clinicians (physicians, NPs, PAs) in primary care.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with dementia or those outside the Penn Medicine system may be less likely to benefit from findings about AI-based e-consults in this setting.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study uses a discrete choice experiment to explore preferences for electronic consultations in primary care. Participants will complete a one-time survey that presents pairs of hypothetical e-consults differing in provider type (human vs AI), wait time, cost, and quality. The goal is to understand how older patients and clinicians weigh tradeoffs when considering AI-assisted e-consults. The setting is Penn Medicine, with both patients aged 65+ and primary care clinicians participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide how e-consults are designed and communicated to align with patient and clinician preferences, potentially improving acceptance and use of AI-assisted guidance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in AI-advised clinical tools have shown mixed acceptance; this study adds targeted insights for elderly patients and primary care clinicians.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
PATIENTS: Inclusion Criteria: * Adult, 65 years of age or older * Had at least two office visits at Penn Medicine in the past 12 months * Has an upcoming appointment in a Penn Medicine primary care setting, including family medicine, internal medicine, and geriatric medicine Exclusion Criteria: * Documented Alzheimer's, dementia, or related condition CLINICIANS: Inclusion Criteria: * Adult, 18 years of age or older * Works at Penn Medicine as one of the following: physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant * Works in a primary care Penn Medicine setting including: family medicine, internal medicine, geriatrics medicine Exclusion Criteria: * Actively in medical school, internship, or residency
Where it's running
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nicholas Bishop
- Email: nicholas.bishop@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: 215-573-0779
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.