Online information about artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer research is often confusing and unreliable. This matters because patients increasingly turn to AI tools to help them navigate their treatment and understand their condition, making access to quality information critical.

The State of Online Information about AI and Cancer Care

Researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center and Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine found that many online resources regarding AI and cancer care are poor in quality and difficult to understand. Their study screened 320 websites and videos by using common keywords related to AI and cancer. This included everything from news articles to influencer content on platforms like YouTube.

Out of the initial screening, just 52 webpages (31 percent) and 29 videos (19 percent) made it to the final analysis after removing irrelevant content. Only 33 percent of webpages and 23 percent of videos were considered high-quality. The readability of these resources was strikingly inadequate; while health professionals suggest a reading level suitable for grades six to eight, the median readability of webpages was at the college level. Alarmingly, only 15 percent of these resources mentioned the risks related to AI hallucinations.

Understanding Risks in AI Usage

One major concern is the misinformation that can stem from using AI tools without proper clinical oversight. For instance, if a patient consults an AI chatbot about the side effects of treatment, the response might either be accurate or completely fabricated. This could lead to dangerous scenarios, such as a patient ignoring a serious side effect because the chatbot provided false reassurance.

Dr. Henry Litt, a senior author on the study, emphasized that while doctors are trained to discuss the risks of treatments, they often overlook the potential dangers of misinformation from AI tools. “Patients are going to use AI to ask questions about their cancer care, and they should have access to resources that can help them navigate these tools safely,” he noted.

Need for Better Resources

The findings point toward a significant gap in patient-facing resources concerning AI’s role in cancer care. With a mere one in four items deemed relevant for patients, and one in three that were high quality, the need for better resources is clear. The authors of this study called for health systems, cancer centers, and oncology organizations to focus on creating accessible, high-quality information tailored for patients.

As AI becomes a vital part of cancer care, developing instructional resources that explain its benefits and pitfalls in simple language should be a top priority. This would help ensure that patients receive accurate, helpful information and can make more informed decisions regarding their treatment options.

What this means for you

For patients and their families, being aware of the limitations and risks of AI tools is essential. Always consult your medical team for questions about your care rather than relying solely on online AI resources. If you ever need to review treatment-related documents, like patient consent forms, legal-document-to-plain-english-translator/”>AI legalese decoder can translate them into plain English in seconds.

Source: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/major-gaps-in-online-info-for-patients-about-ai-and-cancer