A recent study in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology suggests that relying on artificial intelligence during colonoscopies may negatively impact an endoscopist's ability to detect precancerous growths, known as adenomas, without AI assistance. The research indicates that continuous use of AI could lead to a decline in the skills required to perform colonoscopies independently.
The study, conducted across four Polish colonoscopy centres, assessed over 1,400 colonoscopies performed by 19 experienced endoscopists. Results showed that the adenoma detection rate (ADR) decreased from 28% to 22% after AI implementation when clinicians performed unassisted colonoscopies. This decline raises concerns about a potential 'deskilling' effect, where reliance on AI weakens visual search habits and pattern recognition crucial for polyp detection.
Experts suggest that over-reliance on AI systems may reduce motivation and focus during procedures without AI, impacting overall diagnostic confidence. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of AI integration on healthcare professionals' skills and to identify strategies for maintaining expertise in conjunction with AI technologies.
