Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42684313›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2026

Feasibility and Acceptability of an AI-Driven Conversational Platform for Structured Autism History Taking and Referral Support: Mixed Methods Proof-of-Concept Study.

Shabnam Sadeghi Esfahlani, Louise Prothero, Naim Abdulmohdi, Naboshika Nantheswaran, Jon Turvey, Chris Jacobs

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Shabnam Sadeghi Esfahlani *Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom, 44 1223 695503.ORCID 0000-0002-1443-0330
Louise Prothero *Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-5385-0397
Naim AbdulmohdiFaculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom, 44 1223 695503.ORCID 0000-0002-3818-965X
Naboshika NantheswaranFaculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.
Jon TurveySimFlow.ai Ltd, 86-90 Paul Street, London, United Kingdom.ORCID 0009-0001-0144-7619
Chris JacobsUniversity of Bath, Bath, England, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-3638-5454

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is underdiagnosed in adults, with increasing demand on diagnostic services and prolonged waiting times. AI-powered tools may offer scalable solutions for early screening and triage. Objective: This proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and user experience of ASIST (Autism Screening With Intelligent Supportive Technology), an AI-powered conversational platform designed to support structured history taking and referral preparation for adults seeking to explore autistic traits. Methods: A mixed methods feasibility study was conducted. Adults (N=12) interacted with a voice-based AI chatbot delivering validated screening tools (10-item Autism Spectrum Quotient and 2-Minute Autism Detection Scale). Quantitative acceptability and usability were assessed using items informed by the theoretical framework of acceptability alongside open-text qualitative feedback. Results: Eleven patient and public involvement and engagement contributors informed the development and refinement of the study, and 12 adults completed the pilot evaluation. Participants generally reported positive perceptions of the chatbot, including low effort, favorable confidence, and perceived fairness. Open-text feedback highlighted the perceived value of ASIST as a history taking and referral support tool while also identifying areas for refinement, including pacing, speech clarity, and response format. Conclusions: AI-powered conversational tools may offer scalable solutions for structured history taking, referral preparation, and early triage. Further large-scale validation, pathway integration, and equity-focused evaluation are required before wider implementation.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceAutism Spectrum DisorderMedical History TakingReferral and ConsultationAdultAutistic DisorderFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProof of Concept StudyQualitative Researchacceptabilityadult autismAIartificial intelligenceautism spectrum disorderconversational AIdigital health screeningfeasibility study

Identifiers

PMID42684313
PMCPMC13521495

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.