Perceptions about the Use of Virtual Assistants for Seeking Health Information among Caregivers of Young Childhood Cancer Survivors

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThis study examined the perceptions of caregivers of young childhood cancer survivors (YCCS) regarding the use of virtual assistant (VA) technology for health information seeking and care management. The study aim was to understand how VAs can support caregivers, especially those from underserved communities, in navigating health information related to cancer survivorship.MethodsA qualitative study design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews and focus groups with ten caregivers of YCCS from metropolitan, rural and Appalachian regions, recruited from a large pediatric academic medical center in the Midwest. A web-based VA prototype was tested with caregivers, who provided feedback on its usability, utility, and feasibility. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to caregivers’ interactions with and perceptions of the VA technology.ResultsWe identified four major themes: Interface and Interaction, User Experience, Content Relevance, and Trust. Caregivers expressed preferences for multimodal interactions, emphasized the need for accurate and relevant health information, and highlighted the importance of trust and confidentiality. The VA was perceived as a valuable tool for quickly accessing information, reducing the cognitive and emotional burden on caregivers. VAs were perceived to provide tailored support for managing specific health needs of YCCS.ConclusionsVAs hold promise as a support tool for caregivers of YCCS, particularly in underserved communities. By offering personalized, reliable, and easily accessible information, VAs were perceived to support caregivers to manage health conditions and ease the caregiving tasks.