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Already in the room: How endocrine surgery patients are using and embracing artificial intelligence in care
Alexandra Helbing1, Nicholas Druar2, Caitlin B Finn2
1University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Madison, WI; Department of Surgery, Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, WI. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/helbing_alex.
Background:
Patients are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence tools for medical information, yet patterns of use and willingness to integrate artificial intelligence into surgical care remain poorly defined.
Methods:
We conducted a survey of adult patients presenting to an endocrine surgery clinic. Participants were asked questions regarding their artificial intelligence use for obtaining medical information and completed a standardized scenario evaluating willingness to use a free, 24/7 chatbot. Associated factors queried included prior medical artificial intelligence use, medical/surgical task-specific use, and willingness to use artificial intelligence for clinical applications.
Results:
Of 151 respondents (response rate, 71.2%; mean [standard deviation] age, 58.8 [15.3] years; 110 women [72.8%]), 101 (66.9%) reported using artificial intelligence for any reason in the past year, 81 (53.6%) used it for medical information, and 40 (26.7%) used it to gain information before their current clinic visit. Artificial intelligence was primarily used to learn more about diagnoses (71 [47.0%]), symptoms (68 [45.0%]), and treatment options (63 [41.7%]). Overall, 136 patients (90.1%) expressed willingness to use a clinic-endorsed artificial intelligence chatbot, particularly for preoperative preparation (97 [64.2%]), postoperative instructions (95 [62.9%]), and discussion of surgical risks and benefits (93 [61.6%]). Factors that increased willingness to use artificial intelligence for medical information included rapid response (112 [74.2%]), ease of integration into daily schedules (103 [68.2%]), and clinician endorsement (91 [60.3%]). Barriers included privacy concerns (108 [71.5%]) and absence of a live provider (106 [70.2%]).
Conclusion:
Endocrine surgery patients actively use artificial intelligence for medical information and demonstrate strong interest in clinic-integrated artificial intelligence tools, especially when endorsed by their surgeon, supporting a role for validated chatbots in perioperative care.
