A new international research initiative led by Nanyang Technological University Singapore Asian medical professionals' perceptions of the use of AI in healthcare.
Findings
Researchers surveyed 165 gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal surgeons from Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. They were given a questionnaire asking them to rate their agreement with statements aimed at assessing their confidence, acceptance and risk perception of the use of AI in gastroenterology. The questionnaire outlined three different scenarios where AI could take place. Applied – detection, characterization, and intervention.
Based on The findings, published in the scientific journal JMIR (Journal of Medical Internet Research) AI, found that eight out of 10 respondents said they accept and trust the use of AI in the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal polyps. About 70% said they accept and trust AI-assisted tools in removing polyps, while about 80% said they accept and trust AI in identifying polyps. do
The researchers noted that while no differences were found in the level of acceptance between public and private practices, as well as between large hospitals and small practice groups, years of experience may be an indicator of confidence in AI. The survey found that gastroenterologists with less than a decade of clinical experience perceived more risks in using AI-powered tools than their more experienced counterparts.
“More clinical experience among senior gastroenterologists in the management of colorectal polyps may give these physicians greater confidence in their clinical skills and practice, thereby increasing confidence in exercising clinical discretion when new technologies are introduced.” is,” Joseph Sung, NTU professor and one of them. The study's co-authors explained.
Professor Singh also believes that young gastroenterology doctors may find AI dangerous because they lack the confidence to use it for invasive procedures, such as removing polyps.
A big trend
Wilson Goh, assistant professor at the NTU Lee Kang Chian School of Medicine, said they focused on gastroenterologists because of their “heavy use of image-based diagnosis and surgical or endoscopic intervention”.
This is reflected in the increasing availability of AI-powered decision support tools, software, and systems for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders across Asia.
Japanese companies, AI Medical Service (AIM) and NEC are leading developers of diagnostic endoscopy AI. AIM is currently collaborating with Stanford University School of Medicine to validate its product. Chinese beginnings Wision AI also offers a CE-marked AI-powered polyp detection software called EndoScreener.
Meanwhile, including Asian universities and hospitals The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, and National University Hospital in Singapore have built their own AI-powered endoscopic systems to help detect, diagnose, and remove cancerous gastrointestinal lesions.