AI assisted screening in English NHS DESP:Public and staff perceptions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring perceptions and concerns among NHS staff and people living with diabetes about the potential deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in the English NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP)
IRAS ID
316631
Contact name
Alicja Rudnicka
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George’s, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The English NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) performs around 2.2 million eye screening appointments each year, generating over 10 million retinal images that are graded for the presence or severity of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy). Currently, human graders perform this task within the DESP. This is expensive and consumes a lot of time, which human graders could better use elsewhere in the process
We have shown that Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems can identify images with no disease from those with retinopathy as well as human graders, and could help significantly reduce the workload for human graders.
There is a need to examine the expectations/concerns of AI-assisted eye-screening among people living with diabetes (PLD) and NHS staff, if AI were to be introduced into the DESP, to identify factors that may influence acceptance of this technology by staff and PLD. Staff working at the North East London NHS DESP and local PLD were invited to participate in focus groups to co-design two online surveys to understand their perceptions, concerns and views. The two surveys are comparable in content, however the survey for staff additionally examines issues that impact on the workforce. Differences in surveys responses by population subgroups including age and ethnicity will be examined.
The survey will be distributed by NHS DESP sites to staff, PLD, via patient groups on social media and charities including Diabetes UK, South Asian Health Foundation and Black and Minority Ethnic Health Forum. Using a range of recruitment routes, we hope to achieve representation from a diverse group of people. Surveys will be anonymous and analysed to show general patterns in views/attitudes of staff and PLD towards AI-assisted screening within the DESP. There will be the possibility for participants to share their contact details if they are interested in participating in further research.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0402
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion