Abstract
Background: The use of computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD), autonomous diagnosis (AD), and robotic telemedicine (RTM) is extending to different areas of medicine as the benefit of automation to overstretched health systems becomes increasingly apparent. For such technologies to succeed, clinicians must be supportive of their deployment and function. This research captures and analyses emergency clinicians' perspectives regarding CAD, AD, and RTM use in Emergency Departments (EDs) and establishes whether COVID-19 affected their views.
Methods: Participants were recruited through advertisement on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website between August 2021 and February 2022. Senior ED clinicians were also encouraged to participate through electronic media messages sent to ED Clinical Directors. Data were collected using a questionnaire and responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and statistical significance testing to determine their views of CAD and RTM, and if it differed from views on AD. A thematic analysis was employed to assess concerns.
Results: 105 clinicians completed an online questionnaire. All responses were recorded and analysed. The questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and a value of 0.865 confirmed its reliability (0.70 to 0.9 desirable). Sentiment towards CAD was positive; 61% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that there was a role for CAD in the ED, and would consider it in their decision-making process. There were concerns, particularly with AD, regarding clinical accuracy, responsibility for decision-making and the impact of automation on professional autonomy. However, many clinicians believe that CAD and AD are likely to become mainstream in the future. They stressed the importance of involving clinicians in further development, clinician training and continuously monitoring the technology's impact. COVID-19 did not significantly alter their views.
Conclusions: This study provides an important early step towards assessing clinicians' perspectives on CAD, AD, and RTM adoption into EDs. Notwithstanding notable concerns, clinicians viewed CAD as a useful modality to address growing global healthcare needs. However, novel technology creates challenges that require careful and ongoing management. The results provide a strong basis for further empirical research to enable the continual appraisal of clinicians' perceptions as new technologies are increasingly introduced into clinical practice
Methods: Participants were recruited through advertisement on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website between August 2021 and February 2022. Senior ED clinicians were also encouraged to participate through electronic media messages sent to ED Clinical Directors. Data were collected using a questionnaire and responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and statistical significance testing to determine their views of CAD and RTM, and if it differed from views on AD. A thematic analysis was employed to assess concerns.
Results: 105 clinicians completed an online questionnaire. All responses were recorded and analysed. The questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and a value of 0.865 confirmed its reliability (0.70 to 0.9 desirable). Sentiment towards CAD was positive; 61% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that there was a role for CAD in the ED, and would consider it in their decision-making process. There were concerns, particularly with AD, regarding clinical accuracy, responsibility for decision-making and the impact of automation on professional autonomy. However, many clinicians believe that CAD and AD are likely to become mainstream in the future. They stressed the importance of involving clinicians in further development, clinician training and continuously monitoring the technology's impact. COVID-19 did not significantly alter their views.
Conclusions: This study provides an important early step towards assessing clinicians' perspectives on CAD, AD, and RTM adoption into EDs. Notwithstanding notable concerns, clinicians viewed CAD as a useful modality to address growing global healthcare needs. However, novel technology creates challenges that require careful and ongoing management. The results provide a strong basis for further empirical research to enable the continual appraisal of clinicians' perceptions as new technologies are increasingly introduced into clinical practice
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | SSRN |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Sept 2024 |
Keywords
- Emergency Medicine
- Computer-Assisted Diagnosis
- Autonomous Diagnosis,
- Emergency Department
- Clinician
- Physician
- Perspective