Abstract: Technological advancements in artificial intelligence have paved the way for the widespread adoption of virtual assistants (VAs) in various industries, including healthcare. This article explores the perceptions and potential applications of virtual assistants in cancer patient care. Through qualitative interviews with former patients and doctors from a Dutch radiotherapy institute, as well as a subsequent quantitative survey with cancer patients, key acceptance factors and value-adding use cases of virtual assistants were identified. The findings reveal the importance of factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and trust in influencing patients' intention to use virtual assistants. The results underscore the potential of virtual assistants to improve cancer patient care by providing valuable information and support throughout the treatment journey.
Introduction: The shortage of healthcare professionals, coupled with the increasing demand for quality patient care, has spurred the adoption of technological solutions in the healthcare sector. Virtual assistants (VAs) have emerged as promising tools to address these challenges. This article delves into the applications of VAs in cancer patient care, exploring their potential to enhance efficiency, optimize revenue, and improve patient outcomes.
Virtual Assistants in Healthcare: Virtual assistants, also known as chatbots or conversational agents, are AI-powered systems that enable users to interact with technology in natural language. In healthcare, VAs have been deployed in various capacities, including appointment scheduling, information dissemination, self-diagnosis, and mental health support. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of VAs in improving patient education, facilitating self-diagnosis, and enhancing mental health outcomes.
Current Applications of Virtual Assistants in Cancer Treatment: Research has highlighted the diverse applications of VAs in cancer treatment, ranging from providing information about treatment procedures and side effects to offering self-diagnosis tools for symptom checking. VAs have also been utilized to deliver mental health support to cancer patients, addressing issues such as depression and anxiety. These applications underscore the potential of VAs to complement traditional healthcare services and improve patient care.
Adoption of Virtual Assistants in Healthcare: The adoption of virtual assistants in healthcare hinges on patients' perceptions and acceptance of these technologies. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) provides a framework for understanding the factors influencing technology adoption. Factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and trust play crucial roles in shaping patients' intention to use virtual assistants. However, the acceptance model must be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of cancer patients, considering their unique challenges and demographics.
Conclusion: Virtual assistants have the potential to revolutionize cancer patient care by providing personalized support, information, and assistance throughout the treatment journey. By addressing key acceptance factors and leveraging value-adding use cases, healthcare providers can enhance patient engagement, improve outcomes, and optimize resource allocation. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, virtual assistants will play an increasingly vital role in delivering patient-centered care.
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