Current patient attitudes to artificial intelligence applications in radiology

Healthcare systems are now funding implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in radiology, which will change the experience of care for patients. Currently, there is still limited evidence of patient attitudes to AI implementation in healthcare. We aimed to determine current attitudes to AI of people attending hospital for diagnostic imaging.

This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital network. Following ethical approval and informed consent, an 18-item questionnaire was administered to patients attending for outpatient imaging, assessing their views on AI. Factor analysis was undertaken to identify themes.

In total, 162 people completed the questionnaire; 56% of whom were female (91/162). Most people thought that AI in healthcare would be useful (78%) and should be used (64%). People felt strongly that doctors should be responsible for decisions involving AI (71%). Three latent factors were identified: "utility and safety," "interaction," and "comparability to doctors." People were positive about the utility and safety of AI, were concerned about a loss of personal interaction, and compared AI unfavorably to doctors. There was strong opposition to autonomous AI decisions.

The findings of this study map current patient acceptability of AI in healthcare and should inform strategies to balance AI ethical implementation with delivering value to patients and the healthcare system.

This study provides insights into current patient attitudes to AI in healthcare in a UK setting where AI tools are actively being deployed, building on prior European surveys and guiding ongoing AI design and implementation.