Schulte A, Suarez-Ibarrola R, Wegen D, Pohlmann PF, Petersen E, Miernik A. Automatic speech recognition in the operating room - An essential contemporary tool or a redundant gadget? A survey evaluation among physicians in form of a qualitative study.
Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2020;
59:81-85. [PMID:
32994988 PMCID:
PMC7501482 DOI:
10.1016/j.amsu.2020.09.015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction
For decades, automatic speech recognition (ASR) has been the subject of research and its range of applications broadened. Presently, ASR among physicians is mainly used to convert speech into text but not to implement instructions in the operating room (OR). This study aimed to evaluate physicians of different surgical professions on their personal experience and posture towards ASR.
Methods
A 16-item survey was distributed electronically to hospitals and outpatient clinics in southern Germany addressing physicians on the potential applications of ASR in the OR.
Results
The survey was responded by 185 of 2693 physicians (response rate: 6.9%) with a mean age of 41.8 ± 9.8 years. ASR is desirable in the OR regardless of the field of speciality (93.7%). While only 2.7% have used ASR, 87.9% evaluate its future potential as high. 91.0% of those working in a university hospital would consider testing ASR, while 67.5% of those in non-university hospitals and practices (p = 0.001). 90.1% of responders of strictly surgical specialities see potential in ASR while 73.7% in non-surgical specialities evaluate its future potential as high (p = 0.01). 58.3% of those over the age of 60 consider the use of ASR without a headset to be imaginable, while 96.3% among those under the age of 60. There were no statistically significant differences regarding sex and professional position.
Conclusion
Foreseeably, ASR is anticipated to be integrated into ORs and valued at a high market potential. Our study provides information about physicians’ individual preferences from various surgical disciplines regarding ASR.
ASR is a desirable tool in the OR regardless of the field of speciality.
While 90.1% interviewees from surgical specialities see potential in ASR and 73.7% from non-surgical specialities assess its future potential as high.
There were no statistically significant differences regarding sex and professional position.
For an ASR system to be implemented in the OR, it needs to be sophisticated and updatable since there are still several technical requirements to be fulfilled.
Foreseeably, ASR is anticipated to be integrated into the OR and valued at a high market potential.
Collapse