When AI Is the First Clinician: Impact of Pre-Visit AI Use on Presentation, Diagnostic Expectations, and Shared Decision-Making in Spine Physical Therapy

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 18 years or older * Presenting for a new evaluation at an outpatient physical therapy clinic for a spine-related musculoskeletal complaint, including Neck, Thoracic, and Low back pain With or without radicular symptoms * Able to provide informed consent. * Able to read, understand, and complete study questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * Recent spinal surgery within the past 3 months, due to differing clinical pathways and management strategies. * Presence of serious spinal pathology under active medical management, such as: Malignancy (e.g., metastatic disease) Spinal infection Acute fracture * Cognitive impairment or other conditions that limit the ability to provide informed consent or reliably complete study measures. * Patients currently enrolled in another study that may influence clinical decision-making or outcomes related to spine care.