Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39390632›Full record

ArticleHIV medicine2025

The first AI-based Chatbot to promote HIV self-management: A mixed methods usability study.

Yuanchao Ma, Sofiane Achiche, Gavin Tu, Serge Vicente, David Lessard, Kim Engler, Benoît Lemire, MARVIN chatbots Patient Expert Committee, Moustafa Laymouna, Alexandra de Pokomandy and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in HIV medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Yuanchao MaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4048-1705
Sofiane AchicheDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7730-0701
Gavin TuFaculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada.
Serge VicenteCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6478-4308
David LessardCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1151-3763
Kim EnglerCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8364-7421
Benoît LemireChronic Viral Illness Service, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1363-7687
MARVIN chatbots Patient Expert Committee
Moustafa LaymounaCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0673-6356
Alexandra de PokomandyCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6809-1357
Joseph CoxCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7041-1556
Bertrand LebouchéCentre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1273-9393

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Québec Support Unit-Methodological DevelopmentsPIHVOT program from ViiV Healthcare
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWe developed MARVIN, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot that provides 24/7 expert-validated information on self-management-related topics for people with HIV. This study assessed (1) the feasibility of using MARVIN, (2) its usability and acceptability, and (3) four usability subconstructs (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards use, and behavioural intention to use).

methodsIn a mixed-methods study conducted at the McGill University Health Centre, enrolled participants were asked to have 20 conversations within 3 weeks with MARVIN on predetermined topics and to complete a usability questionnaire. Feasibility, usability, acceptability, and usability subconstructs were examined against predetermined success thresholds. Qualitatively, randomly selected participants were invited to semi-structured focus groups/interviews to discuss their experiences with MARVIN. Barriers and facilitators were identified according to the four usability subconstructs.

resultsFrom March 2021 to April 2022, 28 participants were surveyed after a 3-week testing period, and nine were interviewed. Study retention was 70% (28/40). Mean usability exceeded the threshold (69.9/68), whereas mean acceptability was very close to target (23.8/24). Ratings of attitude towards MARVIN's use were positive (+14%), with the remaining subconstructs exceeding the target (5/7). Facilitators included MARVIN's reliable and useful real-time information support, its easy accessibility, provision of convivial conversations, confidentiality, and perception as being emotionally safe. However, MARVIN's limited comprehension and the use of Facebook as an implementation platform were identified as barriers, along with the need for more conversation topics and new features (e.g., memorization).

conclusionsThe study demonstrated MARVIN's global usability. Our findings show its potential for HIV self-management and provide direction for further development.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceHIV InfectionsSelf-ManagementAdultFeasibility StudiesFemaleFocus GroupsGenerative Artificial IntelligenceHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adultantiretroviralartificial intelligenceCanadachatbotconversational agentdigital healthfeasibilityHIVimplementation sciencemixed methodsmobile phonepatient and stakeholder engagementself‐managementtelehealthusability

Identifiers

PMID39390632
PMCPMC11786622

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.