A Sociolinguistic-enabled Web Application to Develop Precision Health Intervention for African Americans

A Sociolinguistic-enabled Web Application to Develop Precision Health Intervention for African Americans

A Sociolinguistic-enabled Web Application to Develop Precision Health Intervention for African Americans

This pilot study will explore the preliminary efficacy of a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intervention delivered by virtual health assistants (VHAs). Participants will include 750 African American patients in the US between the ages of 45 and 75 recruited through Qualtrics panels. The main research question is: How does the integration of different levels of dialect density of the linguistic features of African American English (AAE) influence the perceived credibility of a Black VHA. Four types of VHAs will be presented to our patients: a VHA with Standardized American English (SAE) linguistic features, a VHA with a low level of African American English (AAE) linguistic features integrated, a VHA with a high level of African American English (AAE) linguistic features integrated, and a text-only control condition. Survey questions will be used to obtain credibility judgments about VHAs post-interaction.

Participants will be blind to condition. Investigators will be blind to which participants will be assigned to which interventions.

A virtual health assistant that will consist of photos of the computer-generated doctor with text that will guide you through the interaction. No voice will accompany the photos or text.

Participants will randomized to interact with a VHA that speaks either Standardized American English, a low level of African American English, or a high level of African American English

Participants will randomized to either receive a video introduction from the voice actor or receive no introduction

virtual health assistant that will consist of photos of the computer-generated doctor with text that will guide you through the interaction. No voice will accompany the photos or text.

The primary outcome in the current pilot study is credibility score. We expect that source credibility is the mechanism through which intentions to screen will be strengthened. Credibility score will be determined on a Source Credibility Scale (McCroskey & Teven, 1999) from 1 to 7, 1 being "Credible" and 7 being "Not Credible". Lower scores indicate VHA credibility. Higher scores indicate a lack of VHA credibility.

Inclusion Criteria: Out of guidelines for colorectal cancer screening No fecal immunochemical test within the last 12 months No colonoscopy within the last ten years) Exclusion Criteria: Must meet inclusion criteria