Oversight May Be Critical in Patient Acceptance of AI in Radiology

A UK survey found that patients supported AI as a clinical tool but wanted physicians to remain responsible for medical decisions.

To assess patient attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly in radiology, and the importance of physician oversight.

Study Design: 162 patients attending outpatient imaging appointments completed an 18-item questionnaire assessing attitudes toward AI in healthcare.
Data Analysis: Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify underlying themes in patient attitudes, with demographic evaluations.

78% of respondents believed AI would be useful in healthcare.
64% supported the use of AI in healthcare.
71% believed physicians should remain responsible for decisions involving AI.
70% believed AI could reduce healthcare waiting times.
93% considered it important to be treated as a person rather than 'a number'.
50% did not trust a computer to make medical decisions.
The researchers identified three principal domains influencing patient attitudes: utility and safety, interaction, and comparability to physicians.

Patients value physician oversight in AI applications in radiology and express opposition to autonomous decision-making.

Conducted at a single urban UK hospital network, limiting generalizability.
Used a convenience sample of outpatient imaging patients.
Questionnaire was concise, providing an overview rather than in-depth qualitative assessment.