Patient AI Trust Dynamics Before and After Orthopedic Consultation (ORTHO-OP-GPT)

Patients increasingly consult artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT for health information before clinical visits, yet the impact of an actual orthopedic consultation on patient trust in AI-derived information remains unknown. This prospective longitudinal observational study quantifies how a single orthopedic outpatient consultation modifies patient trust in AI chatbots, the concordance between AI-derived and physician-delivered information, and patient anxiety, using a paired pre-post survey design supplemented by a matched physician-side assessment. Adult patients (18 years and older) presenting to two orthopedic outpatient clinics in Cyprus complete a brief pre-consultation questionnaire (T0) capturing demographics, AI use patterns, prior AI consultation regarding the current complaint, baseline trust, expectations, and anxiety. Immediately after their consultation they complete a second questionnaire (T1) assessing concordance with physician advice, trust change, consultation facilitation, post-consultation anxiety, and future intention. The consulting physician completes a brief 30-second post-visit form capturing whether AI was discussed, the medical accuracy of AI-derived information conveyed by the patient, and the effect of the AI discussion on consultation duration. The primary outcomes are the paired within-patient change in AI trust between T0 and T1 and physician-patient concordance on AI versus physician advice. Target enrollment is 180 to obtain 150 paired completed assessments.

NCT Number	NCT07631585
Lead Sponsor	Utku Gürhan
Conditions	Patient Health Information Seeking Behavior, Trust, Health Literacy, Orthopedics
Enrollment	180 participants
Start Date	2026-06
Primary Completion	2026-11 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-17