Patient views on the implementation of artificial intelligence in radiotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• Limited research exists on patient perspectives regarding artificial intelligence (AI) in radiotherapy.
• Understanding patient views is essential for the ethical and effective implementation of AI in cancer care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and utilize a validated questionnaire to assess patient views on AI in radiotherapy.
• To understand current patient perspectives on the integration of AI in radiation oncology.

Main Methods:

• An existing AI questionnaire for radiology was adapted for radiotherapy patients.
• 95 cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy completed the questionnaire between November 2021 and March 2022.
• Patient responses were analyzed to determine overall sentiment and identify key factors influencing views on AI.

Main Results:

• Overall patient sentiment towards AI in radiotherapy was moderately negative.
• Patients expressed concerns regarding decreased personal interaction with healthcare professionals.
• No significant correlation was found between patient demographics (age, gender) and their views on AI.

Conclusions:

• Significant patient concerns exist regarding the use of AI in radiotherapy.
• Patient education and involvement are critical for the future development and adoption of AI in radiation oncology.
• Addressing patient concerns will be vital for successful AI integration in cancer treatment.