Developing a supportive virtual human to deliver clinical trial education for older women and other populations historically excluded from research

Emma G Bryan; Huan Chen; Melissa Vilaro; Haoran Chu; Gabriella Grillo; Palani Te; Miriam Buhr; Stephen Anton; Janice L Krieger

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2024.108485

Developing a supportive virtual human to deliver clinical trial education for older women and other populations historically excluded from research

Patient Educ Couns. 2024 Oct 28:130:108485. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108485. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Emma G Bryan¹, Huan Chen², Melissa Vilaro³, Haoran Chu⁴, Gabriella Grillo⁵, Palani Te⁶, Miriam Buhr⁷, Stephen Anton⁸, Janice L Krieger⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Advertising, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. Electronic address: emma.bryan@ufl.edu.
² Department of Public Relations, University of Florida, USA. Electronic address: huanchen@jou.ufl.edu.
³ Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, USA. Electronic address: mgraveley@ufl.edu.
⁴ Department of Public Relations, University of Florida, USA. Electronic address: chu.h@ufl.edu.
⁵ Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA. Electronic address: gabriellagrillo0@gmail.com.
⁶ Department of Advertising, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. Electronic address: palani0814@ufl.edu.
⁷ University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, USA.
⁸ Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida, USA. Electronic address: santon@ufl.edu.
⁹ Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA. Electronic address: krieger.janice@mayo.edu.

PMID: 39476460
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108485

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify communication strategies that virtual humans (VHs) discussing clinical trials can use to foster positive relationships with older women to better deliver research education.

Methods: A template thematic analysis and matrix analysis of 10 interviews and 3 focus groups with 37 older women identifying as White non-Hispanic, Black, or Hispanic/Latinx were conducted.

Results: VHs can foster positive relationships with older women during clinical trial education by communicating social support. At the same time, VHs should convey credibility. Factors shaping experiences of the VHs' support and credibility include race and ethnicity, comfort with research and technology, and current health status.

Conclusion: Deploying communication strategies that foster positive relationships between VHs and older women are crucial for optimizing the use of VHs during clinical trial education for populations historically excluded from research.

Practice implications: This study provides a cohesive framework guiding the development of VH clinical trial educators for older women to meet their communication needs. The framework may extend to other populations historically excluded from research and real human clinical trial educators.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health, Award R24AG074867 (PIs: Krieger and Anton).

Keywords: Clinical trial education; Clinical trial recruitment; Older adults; Relationship-building communication; Social support communication; Virtual humans.