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SAFE.AI: Chatbot for Financial Empowerment in Rural Cancer Care

This study is testing a new chatbot tool called SAFE.AI to help cancer patients and their caregivers in rural areas manage the financial challenges of cancer. We are comparing two versions: a "Rule-Based Chatbot" which provides structured information, and a "Hybrid Chatbot" which also uses artificial intelligence (AI) for more flexible conversations. About 60 participants will be randomly assigned to use one of these chatbots to get information about insurance, travel costs, and other financial aspects of cancer care. We want to see how helpful and easy to use these chatbots are. You may be able to join if you are an adult cancer patient or caregiver, live in a rural area within Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, or Nevada, and can read and write in English.

Study design
This is a randomized study with two groups, involving about 60 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to use either the Rule-Based Chatbot or the Hybrid Chatbot.
What's involved
Participants will use their assigned chatbot to get information. Helpfulness and usability will be measured up to 2 weeks after using the chatbot.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be assessed for helpfulness, usability, and acceptability of the intervention for up to 2 weeks.

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NCT07410689

SAFE.AI: Developing and Testing an AI-based Hybrid Chatbot for Financial Empowerment in Rural Cancer Care

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalSupportive care
University of Utah
~60 participants
Updated 2026-06-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Rule-Based ChatbotHybrid Chatbot

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Single-Item Helpfulness Rating
Measured over up to 2 weeks
+4 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Cancer
Financial Toxicity

Explore related trials

Malignant Neoplasm

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Utah1

Study leadership

  • Djin Tay, PhD, RN · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Huntsman Cancer Institute

Who to contact

Djin Tay, PhD, RN
[email protected]
801-646-6440
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults (18 years and older)
Cancer patients or financially responsible caregivers of cancer patients who:
Reside in the Huntsman Cancer Institute's five-state catchment area (Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada),
Are able to read and write in English, and
Live in a rural area, defined by endorsement of a residential ZIP code classified as non-metropolitan (RUCA codes 4-10) per the USDA Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes.

Exclusion

Respondents who do not live within this 5-state region--The SAFE toolkit material was developed for the Huntsman Cancer Institute patient population which serves UT, ID, MT, WY, \& NV
Respondents who only speak Spanish or other exclusively non-English speaking groups--The large language model for the chatbot will be developed in the English language. As non-English language training for the chatbot is not part of the scope of this study, participants who are unable to read and write in English may not be appropriate. As such, we will not be recruiting participants who only speak Spanish or other exclusively non-English speaking groups. Future studies will include adaptation of the chatbot to other languages.
Caregivers who are not primarily responsible for the financial aspects of patients' cancer care--The topic of financial hardship of cancer care may be less relevant for caregivers who are not financially involved in care.
Non-rural dwelling

What this trial measures

  • Single-Item Helpfulness Ratingup to 2 weeks

    Helpfulness is assessed using a 5-point Likert-scale item with response options ranging from Very unhelpful (1) to Very helpful (5). Total scores range from a minumum of 1 to a maximum of 5, with lower scores indicating lower perceived helpfulness, and higher scores indicating greater perceived helpfulness.

  • System Usability Scale (SUS)up to 2 weeks

    The SUS is a 10-item, 5 point Likert scale (0 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100, with lower values indicating less usability and higher values indicating higher usability.

  • Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)up to 2 weeks

    The AIM is a 4-item, 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from a minimum of 4 a maximum of 20, with lower values indicating lower acceptability and higher values indicating higher acceptability.

  • Chatbot User Satisfaction (CUS) - Satisfaction Subscaleup to 2 weeks

    The Satisfaction subscale of the CUS measure is a 5 item Likert-scale ( 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 25, with lower values indicating lower user satisfaction, and higher values indicating higher satisfaction.

  • Trust in Automated Systems Test (TOAST)up to 2 weeks

    The TOAST is a 9-item 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree). Total scores range from a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 63, with lower values indicating lower trust, and higher values indicating higher trust.