TL;DR:
- About 80% of Asian gastroenterologists trust AI for diagnosing colorectal polyps.
- Younger doctors with less than a decade of experience perceive more risks in using AI.
- AI is increasingly being used in gastroenterology for image-based diagnosis and intervention.
Imagine walking into a hospital where AI assists doctors in diagnosing and treating diseases. This is no longer a distant dream; it’s happening right now, especially in the field of gastroenterology. A recent survey led by Nanyang Technological University Singapore unveiled fascinating insights into how Asian medical professionals perceive AI in healthcare. Let’s dive in!
Trust and Acceptance of AI in Gastroenterology
The survey, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research AI, questioned 165 gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal surgeons from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The results were overwhelmingly positive:
- Detection and Assessment: Around 80% of respondents trust AI for diagnosing and assessing colorectal polyps.
- Intervention: About 70% accept and trust AI-assisted tools for removing polyps.
- Characterisation: Around 80% trust AI for characterising polyps.
These findings show a high level of confidence in AI among these specialists. However, there’s a twist when it comes to experience.
Experience Matters: Senior vs. Younger Doctors
The survey found that gastroenterologists with less than a decade of clinical experience saw more risks in using AI than their senior counterparts. Professor Joseph Sung from NTU explained:
“Having more clinical experience in managing colorectal polyps among senior gastroenterologists may have given these clinicians greater confidence in their medical expertise and practice, thus generating more confidence in exercising clinical discretion when new technologies are introduced.”
In contrast, younger doctors might find AI risky due to their lack of confidence in using it for invasive procedures like polyp removal.
AI in Gastroenterology: The Larger Trend
The focus on gastroenterology is due to its heavy reliance on image-based diagnosis and surgical or endoscopic intervention. AI is increasingly being used to aid these processes.
- AI-Powered Tools: Companies like AI Medical Service (AIM) and NEC in Japan, and startups like Wision AI in China, are developing diagnostic endoscopy AI.
- University Initiatives: Asian universities and hospitals, such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the National University Hospital in Singapore, are building AI-driven endoscopic systems.
These tools and systems assist in detecting, diagnosing, and removing cancerous gastrointestinal lesions.
The Future of AI in Asian Healthcare
Given the high acceptance rates among specialists, AI is set to play a significant role in the future of Asian healthcare. However, the concerns of younger doctors must be addressed. This could involve more training or creating user-friendly AI tools.
Prompt: Imagine you’re a young gastroenterologist. What features would you like to see in AI tools to increase your confidence in using them?
The Role of Education and Training
To bridge the confidence gap, education and training will be key. Medical schools could incorporate AI training into their curriculums. Meanwhile, tech companies could offer workshops and seminars to familiarise young doctors with AI tools.
AI Beyond Gastroenterology
While this survey focused on gastroenterology, AI’s potential extends to other medical fields. Its ability to analyse vast amounts of data and provide accurate diagnoses makes it a valuable tool across various specialisations.
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