AI Chatbot Could Offer TJA Patients a Convenient Means of Asking Basic Questions
A pilot study of an AI chatbot conducted by NYU Langone Orthopedics showed its effectiveness in allowing patients to ask questions about their procedure at any time pre- and postoperatively.
Patients were given a QR code during their appointment that connected them with the chatbot. The researchers evaluated 398 inquiries, most of which dealt with postoperative expectations (57%) and preoperative concerns (14.5%).
The researchers also found that patients asked questions they might have hesitated to raise with their surgeon, including topics related to sexual activity after surgery, indicating that patients may prefer chatbots for potentially embarrassing questions because they offer privacy, immediacy, and the absence of judgment.
Patients also asked questions in other languages, highlighting the importance of developing validated multilingual educational tools. The chatbot also offered surgeons a tool to offer more efficient patient education, the study found.
“We believe that the integration of artificial intelligence chatbots in healthcare has the potential to enhance patient engagement and alleviate the workload for medical staff,” said Morteza Meftah, MD, associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
“Many patients sought information outside regular clinic hours, underscoring the value of reliable, on-demand educational support. This is preferable to patients relying on uncontrolled online sources, which may contain misinformation or variable quality.”
Source
Koenig JA, Rozell JC, Meftah M, Schaffer O, Barzideh OS, Schwarzkopf. Utilization of an AI Chatbot for Pre- and Post-Operative Patient Inquiries in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Care (Program Number: 223). Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, March 2-6, 2026, New Orleans, Louisiana.