Evaluating AI-Generated Plain Language Summaries on Patient Comprehension of Ophthalmology Notes Among English-Speaking Patients
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
This clinical trial is testing whether plain language summaries made by artificial intelligence help people understand their eye doctor's notes better. Adults receiving eye care at the Jules Stein Eye Institute will get either the usual medical notes or a note with the addition of an AI-generated summary that explains the information in simple, everyday words. Participants will then answer a short survey and receive a follow-up call to share how clear the information was, how well they understood their diagnosis and treatment, and whether they feel more confident about their care. The goal is to find out if these plain language summaries can make it easier for people to understand their eye care and improve communication between patients and health care providers.
Description
This study employs a two-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI)-generated plain language summaries (PLSs) can improve patient comprehension of ophthalmology notes. Eligible participants are recruited during their routine visits at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, and once screened using standardized clinical criteria, they are randomly assigned to either receive the standard ophthalmology note (SON) or the SON supplemented with an AI-generated PLS. The randomization process uses a computer-generated sequence with concealed allocation to ensure unbiased g…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years English-speaking Receiving ophthalmology care at the Jules Stein Eye Institute Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Known cognitive impairments (e.g., dementia, intellectual disability) that would affect comprehension Prisoners or wards of the state Unable to provide informed consent
Interventions
- BehavioralAI-Generated Plain Language Summaries
Participants receive standard ophthalmology notes plus an AI-generated summary that explains medical information in simpler language. Each summary is reviewed by an ophthalmologist for accuracy before being given to the participant. The goal is to help participants better understand their diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow-up instructions.
Location
- UCLALos Angeles, California