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. 2024 May 2:11:1380940.
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1380940. eCollection 2024.

Awareness and intention-to-use of digital health applications, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in breast cancer care

Sebastian Griewing  1   2   3   4 , Johannes Knitza  2 , Niklas Gremke  3 , Markus Wallwiener  4   5 , Uwe Wagner  3   4 , Michael Lingenfelder  1 , Sebastian Kuhn  2
Affiliations

Awareness and intention-to-use of digital health applications, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in breast cancer care

Sebastian Griewing et al. Front Med (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Emerging digital technologies promise to improve breast cancer care, however lack of awareness among clinicians often prevents timely adoption. This study aims to investigate current awareness and intention-to-use of three technologies among breast cancer healthcare professionals (HCP): (1) digital health applications (DHA), (2) artificial intelligence (AI), and (3) blockchain technology (BC). A 22-item questionnaire was designed and administered before and after a 30 min educational presentation highlighting technology implementation examples. Technology awareness and intention-to-use were measured using 7-point Likert scales. Correlations between demographics, technology awareness, intention-to-use, and eHealth literacy (GR-eHEALS scale) were analyzed. 45 HCP completed the questionnaire, of whom 26 (57.8%) were female. Age ranged from 24 to 67 {mean age (SD): 44.93 ± 12.62}. Awareness was highest for DHA (68.9%) followed by AI (66.7%) and BC (24.4%). The presentation led to a non-significant increase of intention-to-use AI {5.37 (±1.81) to 5.83 (±1.64)}. HCPs´ intention-to-use BC after the presentation increased significantly {4.30 (±2.04) to 5.90 (±1.67), p < 0.01}. Mean accumulated score for GR-eHEALS averaged 33.04 (± 6.61). HCPs´ intended use of AI significantly correlated with eHealth literacy (ρ = 0.383; p < 0.01), intention-to-use BC (ρ = 0.591; p < 0.01) and participants´ age (ρ = -0.438; p < 0.01). This study demonstrates the effect that even a short practical presentation can have on HCPs´ intention-to-use emerging digital technologies. Training potential professional users should be addressed alongside the development of new information technologies and is crucial to increase HCPs´ corresponding awareness and intended use.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; blockchain; breast cancer; digital health application; gynecology; oncology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
level of professional training of the study population.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Technology awareness.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intention-to-use in breast cancer care.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Change in intention-to-use before and after educational presentation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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