Integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare systems prompts essential questions about efficacy, ethics and patient trust. Among imaging modalities, mammography stands out for its suitability for AI applications due to its standardisation and high volume of diagnostic data. However, clinical implementation hinges not only on technical validation but also on patient perception. Understanding patient acceptance of AI in this setting is critical for its responsible deployment. A recent study involving 518 women offers insights into the key demographic and experiential factors influencing perceptions of AI in breast cancer screening. 

AI as an Adjunct, Not a Replacement 

The majority of surveyed patients expressed a preference for AI to function as a second reader rather than as a standalone interpreter of screening mammograms. Only 4.4% of respondents supported AI-only interpretation, while 71% preferred it as a supplementary tool to radiologists. This aligns with broader themes observed in earlier research, where patients valued the human element in medical diagnostics. When presented with an AI-reported abnormality, 88.9% of participants wanted a radiologist to confirm the findings. This preference for human oversight also emerged in follow-up decisions, where patients were more likely to proceed with diagnostic imaging following a radiologist's recall than an AI's. 

https://healthmanagement.org/c/hospital/News/patient-trust-in-ai-for-mammogram-screening