When people feel unwell today, many turn to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for quick answers about symptoms and treatment options. While this carries risks without proper medical follow-up, new research suggests AI may have a meaningful role in healthcare. A study presented at the Congress of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO 2026) reveals that cancer patients who interact with an AI avatar doctor before meeting their real-life consultant feel more knowledgeable and less stressed.
Study Details and Findings
Dr Adam Raben, Chair of Radiation Oncology at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware, USA, presented the research. He emphasized that meeting an AI doctor before a real consultation improved patients' understanding of cancer treatments like radiotherapy. This understanding is crucial for informed consent, patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. Patients often arrive at consultations overwhelmed and anxious, unable to retain complex information. The study aimed to see if an AI avatar could prepare patients better.
The researchers collaborated with a digital technology company to create an AI avatar doctor that explains radiation treatment options. The study included 1,464 patients: 506 (34.6%) watched a standard educational video, while 958 (65.4%) watched an avatar-based video with personalized scripts and illustrations. Participants completed a multiple-choice quiz and a satisfaction survey.
Key Results
- Patients who watched personalized AI avatar videos showed better understanding of their treatment plan.
- They had greater ability to engage with healthcare decisions and reduced stress compared to those who watched the standard video.
- Hospital satisfaction scores improved dramatically with the AI intervention.
- All patients completed the quiz, indicating active engagement.
Dr Raben noted, "Patients were very willing to engage with digital educational material before their first radiation oncology visit. Their satisfaction and understanding scores were high overall, but particularly high among those who viewed the AI-avatar-based videos."
Future Implications
The researchers plan to expand AI avatar use throughout the treatment journey and analyze its impact on anxiety, decision-making confidence, and consultation efficiency. ESTRO President Professor Matthias Guckenberger from University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, commented, "AI is already used to plan and deliver radiotherapy. This study is one of the earliest implementations of AI-avatar-based patient education tested in the clinic. For people with cancer, engaging with an AI doctor enables patients to arrive at consultations better prepared, less anxious, and more confident in asking informed questions." This could make doctor-patient meetings more productive and focused on individual concerns, improving overall care satisfaction.
