Acceptance of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Among Japan’s Doctors and the Public: A Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

Background The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical industry promises many benefits, so AI has been introduced to medical practice primarily in developed countries. In Japan, the government is preparing for the rollout of AI in the medical industry. This rollout depends on doctors and the public accepting the technology. Therefore it is necessary to consider acceptance among doctors and among the public. However, little is known about the acceptance of AI in medicine in Japan. Objective This study aimed to obtain detailed data on the acceptance of AI in medicine by comparing the acceptance among Japanese doctors with that among the Japanese public. Methods We conducted an online survey, and the responses of doctors and members of the public were compared. AI in medicine was defined as the use of AI to determine diagnosis and treatment without requiring a doctor. A questionnaire was prepared referred to as the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, a model of behavior toward new technologies. It comprises 20 items, and each item was rated on a five-point scale. Using this questionnaire, we conducted an online survey in 2018 among 399 doctors and 600 members of the public. The sample-wide responses were analyzed, and then the responses of the doctors were compared with those of the public using t tests. Results Regarding the sample-wide responses (N=999), 653 (65.4%) of the respondents believed, in the future, AI in medicine would be necessary, whereas only 447 (44.7%) expressed an intention to use AI-driven medicine. Additionally, 730 (73.1%) believed that regulatory legislation was necessary, and 734 (73.5%) were concerned about where accountability lies. Regarding the comparison between doctors and the public, doctors (mean 3.43, SD 1.00) were more likely than members of the public (mean 3.23, SD 0.92) to express intention to use AI-driven medicine (P<.001), suggesting that optimism about AI in medicine is greater among doctors compared to the public. Conclusions Many of the respondents were optimistic about the role of AI in medicine. However, when asked whether they would like to use AI-driven medicine, they tended to give a negative response. This trend suggests that concerns about the lack of regulation and about accountability hindered acceptance. Additionally, the results revealed that doctors were more enthusiastic than members of the public regarding AI-driven medicine. For the successful implementation of AI in medicine, it would be necessary to inform the public and doctors about the relevant laws and to take measures to remove their concerns about them.

Women’s perceptions and attitudes towards the use of AI in mammography in Sweden: a qualitative interview study

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“…Although some studies revealed that doctors have positive attitudes toward AI in principle, it showed that doctors were reluctant to use AI in their clinics and were cautious when they were asked about the impact of AI on their patients [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Surveying Hematologists’ Perceptions and Readiness to Embrace Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis and Treatment Decision-Making

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“…Lack of AI awareness among older physicians could be a barrier to negative perceptions of AI use [ 39 ]. However, in a recent study, older physicians were also more positive about using clinical AI, indicating the importance of AI awareness as a significant factor in promoting AI use among physicians [ 38 ]. These findings suggest that when addressing AI-related concerns and communication, it may be beneficial to consider age-related differences, especially in the areas of challenges, barriers, and risks.…”