Should Patients Know When AI Checks Their X-Rays? Take the Survey!

Patients across the UK are being asked whether they want to be informed about the use of artificial intelligence in the analysis of their hospital X-rays. Dr Maya Jafari, who works at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, has launched an online survey to gather opinions from people about AI in healthcare. She believes there is not enough clarity about how much patients want to know about AI, even though many hospital departments already use this technology. Dr Jafari hopes the results of the survey will help the NHS use AI in a way that is safe, ethical, and responsible.

In her department, AI is used to analyse between 60 and 100 chest X-rays every day. The software is designed to flag scans that show potentially serious problems, which helps doctors decide which cases need to be looked at first. Dr Jafari explains that while AI is helpful, a health professional always reviews every chest X-ray. The AI system acts as a 'second pair of eyes' for the doctors. She suggests that informing patients about AI could be as simple as providing leaflets in waiting rooms. Dr Jafari emphasizes the importance of transparency, saying that responsible, safe, and ethical AI in healthcare depends on patients being informed.

The IMPACT-AI survey began in October and is open to anyone over the age of 16 in the UK. It only takes a few minutes to complete and will close at the end of January. There is also a second survey for health professionals, which asks them how they use AI to read scans and what safety checks they have in place. Dr Jafari hopes that the feedback from both surveys will help the NHS create a clear plan for introducing AI in a way that benefits both patients and healthcare workers. She wants to ensure that AI is used to improve care and safety for everyone involved. If you have a story suggestion for BBC Tees, you can reach out to them through their contact form.