Leah M. Omilion‐Hodges

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Leah M. Omilion-Hodges is a leading scholar in health communication and human-machine interaction, whose work bridges the gap between patient-provider relationships and emerging technologies. Her research explores how patients perceive and trust non-human agents—such as robots and AI—in clinical settings, a critical area as healthcare increasingly integrates automation. In her highly cited 2017 study, she demonstrated that both human and NAO robot physicians were perceived as credible and generated positive patient affect during medical interviews, challenging assumptions about the necessity of human touch in care. Her 2018 follow-up extended this work, showing that while human doctors still earned higher ratings, robots and AI programs were also seen as credible and attractive sources of treatment plans. With over 20 citations across her most prominent papers, Omilion-Hodges’ contributions are foundational to understanding trust dynamics in digital health. Her work not only informs the design of patient-centered AI but also raises vital questions about empathy, authority, and the future of medical communication. For students and researchers, her studies offer a compelling entry point into the ethics and efficacy of automated healthcare.