5thPort's AI Avatar Patient Education Videos Impress Radiation Oncologists with Pilot Results 

Newark, Delaware (February 2, 2026): A new study co-authored by ChristianaCare's Radiation Oncology department and 5thPort has been published in the Red Journal – the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and one of the most respected publications in cancer research and clinical innovation.

The study, titled "A Pilot Study Incorporating AI-Based Avatar Digital Engagements for Patients in a Community Radiation Oncology Practice," evaluated the use of pre-consultation digital patient engagements, including multiple-choice teach-back quizzes, within a community radiation oncology setting. 

Patient satisfaction scores in many oncology departments have been steadily declining. The study explored whether introducing a digital "first touch" prior to consultation could support patient education and engagement before patients entered the clinic. 

*The results below reflect updated data collected following completion of the pilot study reported in the Red Journal abstract.* 

Let's Talk About the Study Design
To test this theory, pre-consultation digital engagements were sent to 956 consecutive patients. Patients were assigned sequentially, with the first cohort receiving standard ASTRO educational videos and the second cohort receiving physician-specific AI-generated avatar videos. 

AI avatar videos use personalized scripts and illustrations, which can be updated as clinically needed. 

The 5thPort digital platform was used to deliver content, collect teach-back responses, and track engagement completion, enabling clinicians to review patient responses before in-person consultations. 

Results

Of the 956 patients who were sent a digital engagement, 867 patients (91%) completed the video and survey engagement.  

Patient-reported survey scores were high for patients who viewed standard ASTRO videos. 

• When physician-specific AI-avatar videos were introduced, mean survey scores related to "Patient Understanding" and "Video Empowerment" increased.  
• In fact, analysis demonstrates statistically significant differences compared to the ASTRO video cohort. Mean scores for the AI-avatar cohort were 4.64 and 4.65 (out of 5), respectively, compared to 4.49 and 4.44 (out of 5) for the ASTRO video cohort. 
• Patient feedback indicated that participants valued seeing their treating physician prior to their in-person consultation. 

Conclusion
The pilot demonstrates the feasibility and acceptance of delivering pre-consultation digital education and teach-back assessments in a community radiation oncology practice, including the use of AI-based avatar videos.  

"This study highlights the potential role of structured digital engagements prior to consultation," said Navroze Eduljee, CEO of 5thPort and co-author of the study. "By integrating education with teach-back assessments, clinicians gain visibility into patient understanding before the first in-person consultation." 

Dr. Gaurav Shukla, Radiation Oncologist at ChristianaCare and co-author, noted that pre-consultation education allows clinicians to review patient responses ahead of time, helping inform in-person discussions. 

Following this pilot, the research team plans to expand data collection across a broader patient population. 

For 5thPort, the study reflects ongoing efforts to evaluate how digital education, teach-back workflows, and AI-enabled tools can be incorporated into patient engagement strategies within oncology care.  

Would you like to run a pilot in your department? Let's brainstorm what that could look like. Reach out to us for a conversation by filling your details in this contact form or emailing us at info@5thport.com.