PrioritiesAI: A chat tool to help older adults with hernia decide what matters most for surgery

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

The project uses an AI chatbot to help patients clarify personal priorities and desired outcomes related to elective hernia repair. It targets adults with multiple chronic conditions who are preparing for an outpatient surgical discussion with a partner surgeon. Participants engage with the chatbot to articulate preferences, which are then used to support shared decision-making during consultations. Eligible participants must be able to consent, communicate by phone in English, have an email, and be scheduled for a surgical discussion or recent surgery by a partner surgeon. The study is conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, with the lead sponsor coordinating the effort.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Capacity to provide informed consent
* Ability to communicate effectively by phone in English
* Access to a working email address that the participant checks regularly
* Scheduled for an upcoming outpatient consultation with one of our partner surgeons to discuss elective hernia surgery (femoral, ventral, inguinal, or umbilical)
* No significant cognitive impairment that would interfere with meaningful participation

To ensure focus on surgical decisions, participants must fall into one of these categories:

1. Patients scheduled for an upcoming outpatient consultation with one of our partner surgeons specifically to discuss a potential surgical procedure
2. Patients who have undergone a surgical procedure performed one of our partner surgeons after January 1, 2025
3. Participants must meet criteria #1 or #2 above and must not have participated in Phase 1 of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairment sufficient to interfere with meaningful participation in Patient Priorities Care (PPC) discussions
* Communication challenges that cannot be reasonably accommodated within the study protocol
* Inability to complete patient-reported outcome measures independently or with minimal assistance
* Lack of decision-making capacity regarding surgical care

Where it's running

• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aanand D Naik, MD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Study coordinator: Aanand D Naik, MD
• Email: Aanand.Naik@uth.tmc.edu
• Phone: 713-500-9000

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Pre‑surgery optimisation for ventral hernia repair

  This trial tests whether a structured pre-surgery programme to boost activity, encourage weight loss, and optimise other health problems helps adults with 4–8 cm ventral hernias have fewer complications after surgery.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Umeå University · Gällivare, Norrbotten County and 4 other locations · NCT07316426

• Mesh fixation for ventral hernia repair using ECLIPSIUM device

  This trial tests whether the ECLIPSIUM bioresorbable fixation system can securely hold mesh in ventral hernia repairs and reduce recurrences compared with bioresorbable tacks.

  Recruiting at 8 sites Tissium · Loma Linda, California and 11 other locations · NCT07277946

• Pre-surgery BOTOX to help close very large ventral hernias

  This test tries a one-time image-guided BOTOX injection into the side abdominal muscles 3–7 weeks before open repair to see if it helps surgeons fully close very large ventral hernias in adults.

  Recruiting Phase 4 The Cleveland Clinic · Cleveland, Ohio · NCT07220382

• Long-term outcomes after FETO for severe left or right congenital diaphragmatic hernia

  This trial will test whether performing FETO in fetuses with isolated severe left or right CDH helps more babies survive to hospital discharge and have fewer long-term problems than standard care.

  Recruiting Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT07166172

• Patient outcomes for hernia surgery at Shouldice Hospital

  This study looks at how patients feel after having hernia surgery at Shouldice Hospital to see how well they recover and how satisfied they are with their care.

  Recruiting Shouldice Hospital · Thornhill, Ontario · NCT06039800

• Collecting samples from patients with colorectal and gastric cancers and non-malignant diseases

  This study is collecting blood and tissue samples from patients with colorectal and gastric cancers, as well as non-cancerous gastrointestinal diseases, to help with future research.

  Recruiting Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University · Wuhan, Hubei · NCT03972956

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.