Using Virtual Counselors to Overcome Genetic Literacy Barriers

Using Virtual Counselors to Overcome Genetic Literacy Barriers: Project VICKY

A Relational Agent (RA) "virtual counselor" (VICKY: VIrtual Counselor for Knowing Your Family History) has been developed to collect family health history information for common health conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and various cancers. In this study, the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the efficacy of using VICKY to the existing My Family Health Portrait (MFHP) tool for collecting family health history information among an underserved primary care patient population. The primary aims of the study are to 1) evaluate the efficacy of VICKY versus MFHP for collecting accurate family health histories and 2) determine whether accuracy varies as a function of health literacy. This project will obtain validation data on the efficacy of both VICKY and MFHP for collecting accurate family history data among an underserved patient population, in two languages (English and Spanish). The study will determine whether a virtual counselor can overcome many of the existing barriers to using traditional web-based family history tools.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 21 years of age or older;
• current Boston Medical Center patient - must have an upcoming returning patient appointment at Boston Medical Center or affiliated clinic within 3 months of recruitment;
• speaks English and/or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 21 years of age;
• not a current patient of Boston Medical Center or affiliated clinic;
• unable to speak English and/or Spanish.