Harnessing an Artificial Intelligence–Based Large Language Model With Personal Health Record Capability for Personalized Information Support in Postsurgery Myocardial Infarction: Descriptive Qualitative Study

• Published in: Journal of medical Internet research Vol. 27; no. 2; p. e68762
• Main Authors: Yang, Ting-ting, Zheng, Hong-xia, Cao, Sha, Jing, Mei-ling, Hu, Ju, Zuo, Yan, Chen, Qing-yong, Zhang, Jian-jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Journal of Medical Internet Research 30.04.2025; Gunther Eysenbach MD MPH, Associate Professor; JMIR Publications
• Subjects: Access; Aged; Artificial Intelligence; Cardiology; Care and treatment; Chatbots; Communication; Confidentiality; Customization; Data collection; Digital literacy; Discontinued; Family medical history; Female; Health information; Health Records, Personal; Health status; Heart attack; Heart attacks; Hospitals; Humans; Impressions; Information management; Intervention; Interviews; Large Language Models; Male; Medical records; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Multimedia; Myocardial infarction; Myocardial Infarction - surgery; Original Paper; Patient compliance; Patient-centered care; Patients; Personal health; Physiological aspects; Precision Medicine; Privacy; Psychosocial factors; Qualitative Research; Recovery; Relatives; Responsiveness; Surgery; User experience; User interface; United States; China; health information accessibility; mobile phone; myocardial infarction; personal health record; qualitative study; large language model; artificial intelligence; personalized health support; digital health tools; post-surgery recovery
• ISSN: 1438-8871; 1439-4456; 1438-8871
• DOI: 10.2196/68762

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although postsurgical cardiac interventions have improved survival rates, effective management during recovery remains challenging. Traditional informational support systems often provide generic guidance that does not account for individualized medical histories or psychosocial factors. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI)-based large language models (LLM) tools have emerged as promising interventions to deliver personalized health information to post-MI patients. We aim to explore the user experiences and perceptions of an AI-based LLM tool (iflyhealth) with integrated personal health record functionality in post-MI care, assess how patients and their family members engaged with the tool during recovery, identify the perceived benefits and challenges of using the technology, and to understand the factors promoting or hindering continued use. A purposive sample of 20 participants (12 users and 8 nonusers) who underwent MI surgery within the previous 6 months was recruited between July and August 2024. Data were collected through semistructured, face-to-face interviews conducted in a private setting, using an interview guide to address participants' first impressions, usage patterns, and reasons for adoption or nonadoption of the iflyhealth app. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi method. Four key themes revealed included: (1) participants' experiences varied based on digital literacy, prior exposure to health technologies, and individual recovery needs; (2) users appreciated the app's enhanced accessibility to professional health information, personalized advice tailored to their clinical conditions, and the tool's responsiveness to health status changes; (3) challenges such as difficulties with digital literacy, usability concerns, and data privacy issues were significant barriers; and (4) nonusers and those who discontinued use primarily cited complexity of the interface and perceived limited relevance of the advice as major deterrents. iflyhealth, an LLM AI app with a built-in personal health record functionality, shows significant potential in assisting post-MI patients. The main benefits reported by iflyhealth users include improved access to personalized health information and an enhanced ability to respond to changing health conditions. However, challenges such as digital literacy, usability, and privacy and security concerns persist. Overcoming the barriers may further enhance the use of the iflyhealth app, which can play an important role in patient-centered, personalized post-MI management.