The design of the INCISIVE system (A Multimodal AI-based Toolbox and an Interoperable Health Imaging Repository for the Empowerment of Imaging Analysis related to the Diagnosis, Prediction and Follow-up of Cancer) is based on a user-centred approach. This approach involved seeking perceptions, experiences and requirements of relevant stakeholders including healthcare professionals and cancer survivors.

The design of the INCISIVE system is based on a user centred approach.

To achieve this, a multi-step approach was conducted by Kingston University London, who is the responsible partner for INCISIVE user requirements definition. This approach involved:

• First, mapping the care pathways across partner countries (UK, Italy, Greece, Finland, Cyprus, Serbia and Spain) for the four cancer types targeted by INCISIVE (breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer), using semi-structured email interviews with oncology specialised healthcare professionals across the partner countries.
• Second, conducting qualitative interviews with cancer survivors to capture perceptions and experiences about the current state of cancer care.
• Third, conducting a quantitative survey with healthcare professionals who are the potential primary users of INCISIVE to capture views, experiences and need for an AI-platform such as the one proposed by INCISIVE.

Mapping the care pathways across the different countries allowed for the delineation of potential bottle necks and areas of diagnostic delays. It also allowed specification of the diagnostic tools utilised which will inform the INCISIVE platform design. On the other hand, the interviews with cancer survivors confirmed the importance and need for INCISIVE for reduction of delays in diagnosis and treatment encountered, with the latter being voiced as a main challenge among interviewed survivors. Additionally, the interviews with cancer survivors highlighted the importance of improving the accuracy of cancer diagnosis to alleviate anxiety and stress.

Mapping the care pathways across the different countries allowed for the delineation of potential bottle necks and areas of diagnostic delays.

With respect to healthcare professionals, there was a clear need and acceptance for an AI-based technology such as the one proposed by INCISIVE to optimise medical imaging in cancer care in the future. Additionally, the results of the survey conducted with the healthcare professionals highlighted several important aspects that are deemed necessary for the design and implementation of the INCISIVE technology including imaging modalities/tests that can be best targeted with INCISIVE, challenges /areas where INCISIVE can help, essential characteristics required in an AI-tool, preference of INCISIVE location within the pathway and preference with respect to sensitivity and specificity of medical imaging with the INCISIVE technology.

With respect to healthcare professionals, there was a clear need and acceptance for an AI-based technology such as the one proposed by INCISIVE to optimise medical imaging in cancer care in the future

Abbreviations:

AI: Artificial Intelligence
UK: United Kingdom

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