Patients' perceptions of ethical issues in semi-autonomous robot-assisted surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical technology
• Surgical innovation
• Patient perception studies

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery enables semi-autonomous robotic actions, but patient acceptance is a barrier.
• Ethical concerns surrounding semi-autonomous robot-assisted surgery (RAS) are significant, yet patient perspectives remain underexplored.
• Understanding patient views on ethical issues in semi-autonomous RAS is crucial for technology adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient perceptions of ethical issues in semi-autonomous RAS.
• To determine how these perceptions influence patients' decisions regarding undergoing semi-autonomous RAS.
• To identify factors affecting patient willingness for semi-autonomous surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• Recruited adult patients who had surgery within the last three years (with or without robotic assistance).
• Conducted semi-structured teleconference interviews using open- and closed-ended questions.
• Analyzed quantitative data with descriptive statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 56% of surveyed patients expressed willingness to undergo semi-autonomous RAS.
• Patient willingness varied based on the specific surgical process controlled by the robot, with high willingness (46%) when robots controlled instruments.
• Key ethical themes influencing willingness included informed consent, perceived risks, trust in the doctor-patient relationship, and the perceived benefits of surgical innovation.

Conclusions:

• A majority of patients are willing to undergo semi-autonomous RAS, contingent on ethical considerations.
• Factors such as informed consent, risk perception, surgeon-robot control balance, and the doctor-patient relationship significantly impact patient acceptance.
• Addressing patient perceptions and ethical concerns is vital for the successful clinical integration of semi-autonomous surgical robots.