AI and gamification in cancer care: Oncologists share their views
Featured expert
Joe DePinto
Healthcare industry executive
Numerous emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to wearables and gamification apps — hold the promise to transform oncology care by uncovering new ways to prevent, diagnose, intervene, and treat the disease.
To better understand how oncologists view these emerging trends, Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions surveyed a group of more than 180 oncologists from around the nation. The research, published in the fifth edition of Oncology Insights, indicates that oncologists are optimistic about the potential benefits of data-based technologies like AI and gamification, but want to further explore the role the tools may have in improving care and lowering costs.
Here’s further insight into how oncologists feel about these two emerging technologies.
Artificial intelligence in Oncology care
Our research indicates that oncologists are optimistic about AI, as 53% report being "excited" about its potential impacts. Moreover, a majority of oncologists (53% and 57%, respectively) anticipate that AI will help to enhance the quality of care and improve clinical outcomes in three year or more years. Nearly half believe that it will help lower the cost of care.
Oncologists identified the potential of AI to help automate administrative tasks as the most valuable benefit, with 37% saying this would provide them with more time to focus on patients. Additionally, oncologists (27%) see significant value in AI to help identify the best treatment paths for patients.
However, the oncologists surveyed indicated a desire to see more clinical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of AI, as well as the need to become more familiar with AI tools, in order to implement them effectively.
Gamification in Oncology care
Our research also examined oncologists’ perspectives around healthcare gamification — the use of video game principles to motivate patients to engage in healthy behaviors. Although healthcare gamification is still in its infancy, the global healthcare gamification market is expected to reach $13.5 billion by 2025.*
Our research indicates that a majority of oncologists (51%), while not very familiar with gamification, are excited about its prospect and would welcome gamified tools, should clinical studies demonstrate their effectiveness.
For instance, the data showed that 69% of oncologists foresee the value in using gamified tools and wearables to encourage patients to engage in healthy behaviors. While 17% of oncologists also recognize the technology’s potential to improve medication adherence, only 1 in 10 oncologists have recommended the technology to patients thus far.
However, oncologists' views change dramatically based on the availability of clinical evidence. When asked, hypothetically, if clinical evidence showed that gamification had a positive impact on patient behavior, a full 95% of oncologists would be "somewhat likely," "likely," or "very likely" to encourage their patients to use such tools.
Oncology Insights
Get exclusive insights into the views of oncologists nationwide on key industry issues.
Looking forward
For oncologists to bring such tools into their practices, efforts will need to be made to both validate their clinical use and further oncologists' understanding of such technologies. While early, this research demonstrates a receptiveness among oncologists for data-led tools and bodes well for their future in oncology care.
*Research N Reports. (May 2017). Global Healthcare Gamification Market Outlook 2022.