Submission ID 118410
| Issue/Objective | In low-resource settings, midwives face critical challenges in accessing up-to-date guidelines and training. The Safe Delivery App (SDA), developed by Maternity Foundation, is a digital educational tool designed for midwives in these contexts. In collaboration with Neuvo Inc. Global, an AI-based chatbot extension to the SDA called 'NeMa smartbot' was developed to support midwives through quick, expert validated, and accessible midwifery guidance aligned with WHO guidelines. A significant novelty of this specialist smartbot is its offline capabilities, making advanced technology available to those most often left behind. The pilot project tested the technical feasibility and usability of the midwifery expert smartbot along with demonstrating how data analytics can reveal user needs. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The project consisted of two rounds of piloting in India. In 2023, the NeMa smartbot was integrated into the SDA to test the technical feasibility of integrating conversational AI into the SDA and offline functionality with clinical modules. Based on the positive results from the first phase, the smartbot was expanded to incorporate all the clinical content available in the Indian version of SDA. This version was developed with substantial expert input and validation from Maternity Foundation's clinical team. After internal development and testing, the full version of smartbot was tested in 2024 with a group of 50 healthcare professionals in a more "real-life" setting in two State Midwifery Training Institutes in Karnataka, India. Pre- and post-pilot surveys, in-depth interviews, app data and bi-weekly follow-ups were used to assess user experience and offline functionality. |
| Results | The findings suggest that NeMa smartbot provides significant additional value and enhanced user experience. The majority (92%) of the users found the smartbot relevant to their work. The offline functionality of the chabot was also highly praised. Feedback indicates higher engagement with SDA when combined with NeMa smartbot, with improved access to real-time, validated midwifery information through its user-friendliness and its ability to deliver immediate and accurate information. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Integrating an expert trained AI smartbot into the SDA used in midwifery education, can contribute to closing the knowledge gap among maternal healthcare providers, especially in under-resourced environments, where timely information and data-driven responses are critical for saving lives. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Disha Agarwalla Maternity Foundation Nanna Sten Andersen Maternity Foundation Abra Pearl Maternity Foundation Disha Agarwalla Maternity Foundation |
