Patients asked if they want X-ray AI use disclosed

Dr Maya Jafari is seeking patient views on AI use in analysing X-rays

Patients are being asked if they want to know how artificial intelligence (AI) is used to aid the analysis of hospital X-rays.

Dr Maya Jafari, based at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough and her team have developed an online survey which is being used to seek people's views on the issue from across the UK.

She said there was a lack of clarity about how much patients wanted to know about AI use even though many departments were already using the technology.

Dr Jafari said: "I think the results of our surveys will help the NHS use AI safely, ethically and responsibly."

AI is currently used to analyses between 60 and 100 chest X-rays her department carries out daily.

The software flags the scans showing potentially serious problems helping doctors prioritise further investigations, Dr Jafari said.

"It brings it to the top of our lists," she said.

'Provide clear roadmap'

However, she said a health professional always looked at every chest X-ray and the AI system was a "second pair of eyes".

"Giving patients information about AI use could be as simple as putting out leaflets about the topic in waiting rooms.

"We want to see responsible, safe and ethical AI in healthcare and a big part of that is transparency."

The IMPACT-AI survey, which began in October and only takes a few minutes to complete, is open to those over 16 years in the UK.

It closes at the end of January.

A second survey, for health professionals also developed by Dr Jafari, is asking how they use AI to read and make decisions on scans and what safety checks are in place.

She said she hoped the two surveys would help give the NHS a "clear roadmap" to introducing AI in a way that benefits both patients and health workers.