HeteroGenius AI Pathology Assistant: Usability Testing

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    HeteroGenius Skin Cancer AI Pathology Assistant: Usability Testing Study

  • IRAS ID

    323051

  • Contact name

    Natasha Alvarado

  • Contact email

    n.alvarado@bradford.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Bradford

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 2 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    HeteroGenius is developing an AI tool to aid pathologists in skin cancer reporting and diagnosis. The AI tool will overlay digital (electronic) images of skin cells used in diagnosis with annotations (e.g., highlighting tumour regions), indicate measurements required within the report (e.g., tumour margins) and provide a likely diagnosis. The goal is for this tool to act as a pathologist’s assistant, producing the same report as would be produced manually using a microscope and glass slides, but to save time and improve workflow efficiency. This study aims to undertake initial usability testing of the AI pathology assistant to (1) provide user feedback to inform decisions about how to improve the tool, (2) understand how easy it is for pathologists to use, (3) assess tool benefits. To achieve these aims the study is designed in two stages. In the first stage we will speak to pathologists to understand what their needs are in terms of skin cancer reporting and how an AI assistant could fulfil these needs and speak to the tool developers to clarify what the current version offers to pathologists. In stage two, we will ask the pathologists to use the AI tool and provide feedback about how easy it is to use and how well it meets their needs.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    23/WM/0159

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Sep 2023

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion