Abstract
Purpose :
The aim of this study is to examine the differences in attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmic care between patients with ocular diseases and a control group of healthcare professionals without such conditions.
Methods :
A survey was conducted with two groups: patients with ocular diseases (n=50) and healthcare professionals (n=30) as controls. The survey covered demographic information, health status, technology familiarity and comfort, attitudes toward AI in diagnosis and treatment, and AI-related concerns. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing using t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare responses between groups.
Results :
Significant differences were observed in several areas. Patients showed a higher preference for AI reports to decide their treatment decisions (p<0.001) and image interpretation (p=0.011). The mean age differed significantly between the groups (patients: >50 years, control: 30-39 years, p<0.0001). The patient group showed more concerns about AI's accuracy (34% vs. control: 47%, p=0.003). The control group exhibited a neutral stance on AI usage in healthcare. The level of comfort with technology did not show significant differences (p=0.669).
Conclusions :
The findings indicate a more pronounced acceptance and trust in AI among patients with ocular diseases compared to healthcare professionals. The necessity for effective disease management may drive patients' positive perceptions. The results underscore the need for customized communication about AI in healthcare, considering the diverse perspectives of different stakeholder groups.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.