Revolutionizing e-health: the transformative role of AI-powered hybrid chatbots in healthcare solutions.

INTRODUCTION: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly through hybrid chatbots, is reshaping the industry by enhancing service delivery, patient engagement, and clinical outcomes. These chatbots combine AI with human input to provide intelligent, personalized interactions in areas like diagnostics, chronic disease management, and mental health support. However, gaps remain in trust, data security, system integration, and user experience, which hinder widespread adoption. Key challenges include the hesitancy of patients to trust AI due to concerns over data privacy and the accuracy of medical advice, as well as difficulties in integrating chatbots into existing healthcare infrastructures. The review aims to assess the effectiveness of hybrid AI chatbots in improving healthcare outcomes, reducing costs, and enhancing patient engagement, while identifying barriers to adoption such as cultural adaptability and trust issues. The novelty of the review lies in its comprehensive exploration of both technological advancements and the socio-emotional factors influencing chatbot acceptance.