Patient Perspectives on AI-Powered Medical Robots in Breast and Prostate Cancer Care: Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Informatics
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Cancer is a significant health concern in Canada, with breast and prostate cancers being highly prevalent.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential advancements in cancer care accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.
• Patient perspectives on AI integration in cancer care, particularly acceptability, are largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient perceptions and acceptability of AI-powered robots in breast and prostate cancer care.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for implementing AI in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semistructured interviews with 15 breast and prostate cancer patients.
• Interviews conducted via telephone or Zoom, with data analyzed using conventional content analysis.
• Two-stage interview process to explore initial reactions and practical implementation considerations.

Main Results:

• Patients expressed openness to AI but stressed the importance of reduced wait times, safety, reliability, and patient-centeredness.
• Willingness to accept AI-assisted care increased with education and transparent communication regarding its accuracy and efficiency.
• Key barriers included concerns about reliability and loss of human interaction; facilitators were timely results, efficiency, and AI complementing human expertise.

Conclusions:

• Patients are cautiously willing to accept AI in cancer care when it complements, not replaces, human providers.
• Maintaining healthcare provider presence, providing clear education, and ensuring transparent communication are crucial for AI acceptance.
• Personalized education and diverse information delivery methods can enhance patient confidence and acceptability of AI in cancer care pathways.