Patients’ views on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare: Artificial Intelligence Survey Aachen (AISA)—a prospective survey

Abstract Objectives The use of AI is gaining relevance in healthcare. There is limited information regarding the views of patients on AI in healthcare. The aim of our study was to assess the views of patients on the use of AI in healthcare with an on-site questionnaire. Materials and methods Patients in our tertiary hospital with a diagnostic imaging appointment were invited to complete a paper-based questionnaire between December 2022 and October 2023. We asked about socio-demographic data, experience, knowledge, and their opinion on the use of AI in healthcare, focusing on the fields (1) diagnostics, (2) therapy, and (3) triage. Results Out of a total of 198 patients (mean age 49.41 ± 17.6 years, 99 female), 91.5% stated that they expected benefits from the implementation of AI in healthcare, although 73.4% rated their knowledge of AI as moderate to none. The majority of patients were in favour of using AI in diagnostics (87.2%) and therapy (73.1%), while only 28.2% approved its use in patient triage. 84.0% wanted to be informed about the use of AI in at least one of the mentioned areas. Participants with higher education, higher self-assessed knowledge of AI and personal experience with AI showed greater approval for AI in healthcare. Conclusion Our interviewed patients have a rather open attitude towards AI in healthcare, with differentiated views depending on the topic; patients are in favour of the use of AI, especially in diagnostics and to a lesser extent also for therapy support, but they reject its use for triage. Critical relevance statement Overall, the results emphasise the need for widespread efforts to address patient concerns about AI in healthcare, including enhancing understanding and acceptance while protecting marginalised groups. This will help clinical radiology to adopt AI more effectively. Key Points There is limited information on patients’ views of AI in healthcare, often focused on specific groups, limiting generalizability. Patients are open to AI in healthcare, supporting its use in diagnostics and therapy, but rejecting its use for triage. Overall, patients want to be informed about AI usage and participants with higher education and AI experience showed more approval. Graphical Abstract