AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing for Chronic Disease

(AIM-PC Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Mary Crane, MBA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Wright State University

Disqualifiers: Non-consent

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance motivational interviewing, a method that helps patients manage their health, when used by primary care providers. The study aims to determine if AI-boosted training improves patient care, enhances doctors' job satisfaction, and reduces biases in patient interactions. Participants will join one of three groups: a control group with no AI training, a basic AI training group, or a more intensive AI training group. This trial targets primary care providers in the Premier Health network in southwest Ohio. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could transform patient care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing Training is safe for primary care providers?

Research has shown that using AI to support motivational interviewing (MI) is generally safe. Studies have found that AI enhances patient engagement in motivational interviewing and expands behavior change programs without major safety issues. For instance, AI can provide responses similar to those of a therapist, improving understanding and empathy without causing harm. Tests of AI in MI training have demonstrated its effectiveness and safety, with no reports of negative effects. This indicates that AI-supported MI is well-accepted and safe for primary care providers to use in training. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing (AI-MI) because it enhances traditional motivational interviewing techniques with artificial intelligence, offering new ways to engage patients with chronic diseases. Unlike standard motivational interviewing, which relies solely on human interaction, AI-MI incorporates AI to provide tailored feedback and practice through role-play, potentially improving the communication skills of healthcare providers. The BASIC AI-MI involves two AI-augmented training sessions, while the PLUS AI-MI offers four sessions, allowing for more extensive practice and refinement of skills. This innovative approach could lead to more effective patient-provider interactions and improved management of chronic conditions.

What evidence suggests that AI-augmented motivational interviewing training could be effective for chronic disease?

Research has shown that using AI to enhance motivational interviewing (MI) can improve healthcare provider training, potentially leading to better patient care. In this trial, participants will be divided into groups to assess the impact of AI-augmented MI training. Studies have found that AI can expand behavior change programs by increasing patient engagement. For instance, AI has trained providers to respond like skilled therapists, crucial for supporting patients with long-term illnesses. Early results suggest that AI in MI training can reduce inappropriate advice and improve empathy and listening skills among providers. These improvements hold promise for helping patients manage chronic conditions more effectively. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Paul J Hershberger, PhD

Principal Investigator

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for primary care providers (PCPs) interested in improving patient engagement and managing chronic diseases more effectively. It aims to train PCPs in motivational interviewing (MI) techniques augmented by artificial intelligence (AI). Providers with an interest in reducing implicit bias and burnout are ideal candidates.

Inclusion Criteria

Primary care providers (physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) employed in primary care practices of the Premier Physician Network of Premier Health (southwest Ohio) are eligible to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

Eligible PCPs who opt to not provide informed consent for participation will be excluded from the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Primary care providers receive AI-augmented motivational interviewing training, including role-play practice and didactics sessions.

4-7 months

Multiple sessions (in-person and virtual)

Assessment

Participants complete surveys and role plays with standardized patients for motivational interviewing assessment at designated intervals.

Months 4-33

Periodic assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as burnout, stress, and patient engagement.

Months 4-33

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing Training

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of AI-augmented MI training on patient outcomes, clinician wellbeing, and reduction of biases. There's a control group receiving no special training, while two other groups receive varying levels of AI-enhanced MI training.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

The control group (CG) will provide survey data and complete role plays with standardized patients for motivational interviewing (MI) assessment at designated project intervals. Premier Physician Network data for these primary care providers (PCPs) will also be obtained at these intervals.

Group II: BASIC AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing Training Active Control 1 Intervention

The Basic intervention group will provide survey data and complete role plays with standardized patients for motivational interviewing (MI) assessment at designated project intervals. Premier Physician Network data for these primary care providers (PCPs) will also be obtained at these intervals. Basic PCPs will participate in a didactics session on MI, and subsequently complete two AI (artificial intelligence)-augmented MI training sessions that involve role-play practice of MI.

Group III: PLUS AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing Training Active Control 1 Intervention

The Plus intervention group will provide survey data and complete role plays with standardized patients for motivational interviewing (MI) assessment at designated project intervals. Premier Physician Network data for these primary care providers (PCPs) will also be obtained at these intervals. Plus intervention group PCPs will participate in a didactics session on MI, and subsequently complete four AI (artificial intelligence)-augmented MI training sessions that involve role-play practice of MI.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Wright State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

47

Recruited

55,300+

Premier Health

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

170+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 2-day virtual training program in motivational interviewing (MI) for 30 clinicians from Veterans Affairs medical centers was effective, with participants reporting high satisfaction and confidence in applying new skills to their practice.

The virtual format of the training removed barriers such as travel and cost, making it particularly beneficial for clinicians in rural areas, and participants indicated they were actively using MI techniques three months after the training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Synchronous Motivational Interviewing Training for Geographically Dispersed Interprofessional Learners. Bryan, JL., Saxon, LC., Mesidor, MM., et al.[2023]

In a study involving HIV-infected patients who consumed heavy alcohol, the combination of brief motivational interviewing (MI) and HealthCall (an interactive voice response system) significantly reduced the number of drinks per day compared to a control group, showing the potential for enhanced intervention in this population.

While MI alone also showed some effectiveness, the MI+HealthCall group had the most substantial reduction in drinking, particularly among alcohol-dependent patients, suggesting that this approach could be a valuable tool in HIV primary care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing heavy drinking in HIV primary care: a randomized trial of brief intervention, with and without technological enhancement. Hasin, DS., Aharonovich, E., O'Leary, A., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/ai-augmented-motivational-interviewing-for-chronic-disease-b6367

AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing for Chronic ... This study will examine the impact of training primary care providers (PCPs) in motivational interviewing (MI) using artificial intelligence (AI) to augment ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10916112/

Motivational interviewing skills practice enhanced with ... Our study demonstrates that AI can be utilized to augment MI training ... outcomes among adults with co-occurring chronic disease and ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1438887125012555

Scoping Review of AI Systems Delivering Motivational ... AI systems delivering MI show promise for enhancing patient engagement and scaling behavior change interventions. Early evidence supports their ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/392085406_AI-Augmented_LLMs_Achieve_Therapist-Level_Responses_in_Motivational_Interviewing

AI-Augmented LLMs Achieve Therapist-Level Responses ... A customized chain-of-thought prompt improved GPT-4's MI performance, reducing inappropriate advice while enhancing reflections and empathy.

5. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20251003/Evaluating-AI-systems-for-motivational-interviewing-in-chronic-disease-management.aspx

Evaluating AI systems for motivational interviewing in ... Early studies suggest these AI tools are feasible and acceptable, but it remains unclear how closely they follow core MI principles such as ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12485255/

Scoping Review of AI Systems Delivering Motivational ... AI systems delivering MI show promise for enhancing patient engagement and scaling behavior change interventions. Early evidence supports their ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1557308725002616

Evaluating asynchronous motivational interviewing training ... The findings of this evaluation demonstrate that asynchronous MI training, augmented with simulation-based learning, is a viable and effective ...

8. clinconnect.io clinconnect.io/trials/NCT06597123

AI-Augmented Motivational Interviewing Training for This study will examine the impact of training primary care providers (PCPs) in motivational interviewing (MI) using artificial intelligence (AI) to augment ...