Perception of Pakistani Doctors Towards Facilitation of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis of Cancer

Abstract

Background: The healthcare industry received the largest share of investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research in 2016. The majority of cancer patients receive their diagnosis after their symptoms start, and many of them arrive at emergency rooms with potentially fatal symptoms that they were unaware of when their illness went undetected. Computer engineers and health scientists are now able to work closely together to improve prognoses through the use of technological breakthroughs in computer software and statistics. In this regard, the current study was designed to assess the Perception of Pakistani Doctors Towards Facilitation Of Artificial Intelligence In Diagnosis Of Cancer.

Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted at tertiary care hospital of Karachi. The calculated sample size at 50% proportion of total doctors was n=50. The participants were recruited through convenient sampling technique. A preform proforma with questions related to application of AI in cancer diagnosis was administered in the doctors who gave consent to participate in the study.

Results: A total of 75 participants were included in the study, the mean age of the study participants was 39.3 ± 7.4 years. Among them 64 (85.3%) were aware of concept of AI in healthcare, 53 (70.6%) AI can assist in the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, 67 (89.33%) would like to integrate the idea of AI into their diagnostic processes, 71 (94.6%) think AI can improve the accuracy of cancer diagnoses, 75 (100%) would be willing to undergo training to effectively use AI tools, 68 (90.6%) do not think that AI can replace human judgment in cancer diagnosis.

Conclusion: There is still a clear awareness of AI's limits and the indispensable necessity of human judgment. A readiness to accept AI is demonstrated by the integration of AI and the completion of required training, as long as the technology is employed to supplement rather than to replace the knowledge of healthcare professionals.