National study on use of artificial intelligence in breast disease and cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the thoughts, reservations, approaches and perspectives on the future of artifi cial intelligence (AI) held by physicians specializing in breast healthcare in our country. METHODS: Our survey was sent to the members of the Federation of Turkish Breast Disease Associations (MHDF) by e-mail. The survey investigates the attitudes towards the use of AI in breast disease and cancer, including demographic characteristics of the participants, their daily practice and approaches, and their stance on the future. RESULTS: The questionnaire was sent to a total of 1,890 people via e-mail. 108 (40.1 %) participants believed that the use of AI in breast disease would improve their fi eld of expertise moderately, 103 (38.3 %) expected this improvement to be considerable. 169 (70.3 %) respondents identifi ed 'rapid diagnosis' as the most important advantage of AI. 123 (45.7 %) participants considered concerns about potential medical errors and liability issues to be the most worrying aspects of AI. CONCLUSION: According to our study, the use of AI technology in the diagnosis and treatment of breast disease and cancer seems to be benefi cial for both physicians and patients. However, physicians have some concerns about possible medical errors and liability issues that AI might cause (Tab. 1, Ref. 25).

Defining medical liability when artificial intelligence is applied on diagnostic algorithms: a systematic review

“…With regard to accuracy, in cardiovascular field, Chung et al ( 8 ) report that “the use of AI-ECG algorithms for rhythm identification and ECG interpretation can be more accurate in interpretation” than current ECG software, and also affirm that AI-based ECG analysis has been proposed as an accurate screening tool in valvular disease field. In breast disease and cancer care area, the use of AI is thought to lead to rapid diagnosis and more detailed evaluation ( 9 ). It is important to note, with regard to computer-aided detection (CAD) software that, according to Mezrich ( 10 , 11 ), these can increase radiologists’ accuracy and fastness, but they act as a “second set of eyes.” Consistently, Vedantham et al ( 12 ) affirm that it is more likely that AI will be used as a second reader, and Harvey and Gowda ( 13 ) reports the greater effectiveness of algorithms when subject to human oversight.…”

“…The topic of time emerges also from the surveys of Pecqueux et al ( 16 ), in terms of reduction of time spent by specialists on monotonous tasks, and of Emiroglu et al ( 9 ), in terms of possibility to get to a rapid diagnosis and to examine a larger number of patients. Moreover, AI may filter out non-complex cases letting a greater focus of specialists on more challenging cases ( 18 ).…”

“…Moreover, the use of AI could result in a less rely on history and medical examination, with a possible decrease in quality of medical care: this also raises questions about legal liability in case of diagnostic errors due to the lack of physical examination ( 24 ). Bhardwaj ( 1 ) excludes that AI and machine learning will ever substitute “an astute and empathetic bedside clinician.” The topic of substitution relates with another critical issue, consisting in the replacement of doctors’ job and job losses ( 9 – 11 , 21 , 22 ). The use of AI could moreover affect young doctors’ motivation to try a career as radiologist, with a consequent risk of specialists’ lack, and cause a decrease of training opportunities ( 25 ).…”

Determining medical students' anxiety and readiness levels about artificial intelligence

“…In a study conducted with radiologists and radiographers, it is seen that there is a lack of knowledge about artificial intelligence [ 32 ]. In a study on the use of artificial intelligence in breast diseases, it was seen that the majority of participating physicians had insufficient knowledge about artificial intelligence [ 33 ].…”

Patients’ perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence and robots in healthcare

“…The study by Emiroglu and colleagues, which examined the thoughts, reservations, approaches, and perspectives of specialized physicians in breast health in our country regarding the future of AI, showed that the use of AI technology in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is beneficial for both physicians and patients. However, it revealed that physicians have also concerns about potential medical errors and liability issues that AI may cause (19). Participants who expressed that they are not afraid of AI and robots have relegated such concerns to a secondary position and have not given them importance.…”