PROMBot: A Web Platform for Collecting Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Via a Chatbot

In the last two decades, research and development (R&D) efforts in remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies have primarily focused on the technical challenges of providing care in unconventional settings. Several pilot initiatives have emerged, ranging from chronic disease management to episodic care, such as post-surgical follow-ups, to leverage the advantages of RPM. These benefits include improving the continuity of outpatient care, enabling more informed health decision-making, anticipating complications, and reducing costs. For instance, in the context of post-surgical follow-up, RPM has demonstrated significant potential in reducing severe complications and increasing patient safety during the critical period following hospital discharge. By enabling healthcare professionals to continuously monitor clinical indicators and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), RPM plays a vital role in ensuring effective surveillance.

A systematic review highlights evidence that chatbots could be effective tools for increasing physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and improving sleep duration and quality. In a recent study, users of a chatbot for hypertensive patients demonstrated greater knowledge and skills in blood pressure (BP) monitoring and slightly better accuracy in BP measurements.

However, there is still little research on implementation studies. After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in demand for RPM-based services due to postponed surgeries and the shift from in-person to remote care. As a result, ongoing pilot initiatives increased without sufficient planning. This lack of time and resources poses risks to both accessibility and care quality. Research is needed to explore the characteristics of different RPM systems that drive high-value RPM services.

Existing literature consistently emphasizes three key components for an effective RPM system: care team organization and technology utilization. Therefore, the use of participatory action research (PAR) methodologies, which actively involve clinical teams in the research process, is essential to ensure that the technological solutions developed and implemented align with users' needs and preferences, thereby maximizing their adoption.

The PROMBot was created using a PAR approach, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, software developers, and researchers. This collaborative effort allowed for the suggestion, testing, and evaluation of the platform's functionalities, ensuring both effectiveness and usability. By adopting a PAR approach, the development and implementation of the PROMBot platform addressed real-world challenges and requirements associated with implementing digital health services.