Patient AI Trust Dynamics Before and After Orthopedic Consultation (ORTHO-OP-GPT)

Patients increasingly consult artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT for health information before clinical visits, yet the impact of an actual orthopedic consultation on patient trust in AI-derived information remains unknown. This prospective longitudinal observational study quantifies how a single orthopedic outpatient consultation modifies patient trust in AI chatbots, the concordance between AI-derived and physician-delivered information, and patient anxiety, using a paired pre-post survey design supplemented by a matched physician-side assessment. Adult patients (18 years and older) presenting to two orthopedic outpatient clinics in Cyprus complete a brief pre-consultation questionnaire (T0) capturing demographics, AI use patterns, prior AI consultation regarding the current complaint, baseline trust, expectations, and anxiety. Immediately after their consultation they complete a second questionnaire (T1) assessing concordance with physician advice, trust change, consultation facilitation, post-consultation anxiety, and future intention. The consulting physician completes a brief 30-second post-visit form capturing whether AI was discussed, the medical accuracy of AI-derived information conveyed by the patient, and the effect of the AI discussion on consultation duration. The primary outcomes are the paired within-patient change in AI trust between T0 and T1 and physician-patient concordance on AI versus physician advice. Target enrollment was 180 to obtain 150 paired completed assessments; 350 participants were enrolled.