Hybrid AI chatbot for financial help in rural cancer care

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, two-arm pilot trial enrolling about 60 participants in rural Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada. Participants are assigned 1:1 to a rule-based/hybrid chatbot or an AI-enabled chatbot to obtain information about insurance, travel costs, and other financial aspects of cancer care. The study uses a community-engaged SAFE toolkit and targets adult cancer patients or financially responsible caregivers who live in rural areas and can read and write in English. The goal is to see which chatbot more effectively delivers clear financial information and resources to ease financial toxicity in rural settings. Outcomes will inform future scalability of proactive financial navigation for rural populations.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (18 years and older)
* Cancer patients or financially responsible caregivers of cancer patients who:
* Reside in the Huntsman Cancer Institute's five-state catchment area (Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada),
* Are able to read and write in English, and
* Live in a rural area, defined by endorsement of a residential ZIP code classified as non-metropolitan (RUCA codes 4-10) per the USDA Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Respondents who do not live within this 5-state region--The SAFE toolkit material was developed for the Huntsman Cancer Institute patient population which serves UT, ID, MT, WY, \& NV
* Respondents who only speak Spanish or other exclusively non-English speaking groups--The large language model for the chatbot will be developed in the English language. As non-English language training for the chatbot is not part of the scope of this study, participants who are unable to read and write in English may not be appropriate. As such, we will not be recruiting participants who only speak Spanish or other exclusively non-English speaking groups. Future studies will include adaptation of the chatbot to other languages.
* Caregivers who are not primarily responsible for the financial aspects of patients' cancer care--The topic of financial hardship of cancer care may be less relevant for caregivers who are not financially involved in care.
* Non-rural dwelling

Where it's running

• Huntsman Cancer Institute/ University of Utah
  Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Djin Tay, PhD, RN — Huntsman Cancer Institute

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.