Risk Perception, Acceptance, and Trust of Using AI in Gastroenterology Practice in the Asia-Pacific Region: Web-Based...

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Gastroenterology
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential in healthcare, necessitating an understanding of clinician trust and acceptance.
• Gastroenterology, an image-intensive and intervention-heavy field, is well-suited for AI applications in diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess gastroenterologists' and gastrointestinal surgeons' acceptance and trust in AI for colorectal polyp management during colonoscopy.
• Investigate AI's role in computer-aided detection (CADe), characterization (CADx), and intervention (CADi) of colorectal polyps.

Main Methods:

• A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted across the Asia-Pacific region from November 2022 to January 2023.
• Participants (gastroenterologists/surgeons) evaluated AI scenarios for CADe, CADx, and CADi in colonoscopy, reporting on intention to use, perceived risk, acceptance, and trust.
• The survey included user background, demographics, and AI exposure data.

Main Results:

• 165 professionals responded; most were male (70.3%) and worked in public hospitals (66.67%), with a mean age of 44.
• A majority (67.27%) had prior AI exposure in clinical practice, and 72.72% expressed interest in future AI use.
• Acceptance rates were 83.03% for CADe, 78.79% for CADx, and 72.12% for CADi. Trust levels were 85.45% for CADe/CADx and 72.12% for CADi. More experienced clinicians reported lower risk perceptions.

Conclusions:

• Gastroenterologists exhibit high overall acceptance and trust in AI-assisted colonoscopy for colorectal polyp management.
• Trust levels in AI applications are scenario-dependent, with CADe and CADx generally receiving higher trust than CADi.
• The interplay between risk perception, acceptance, and trust in AI within gastroenterology is complex and not linear.