Project summary
Researchers are building AI-powered tools that can identify people most at risk of diabetes complications before they develop. Dr Rebecca Thomas is exploring how people with diabetes feel towards AI being used in this way, and receiving results about their future complications risk. This will inform recommendations on how to communicate AI-driven risk predictions in a way that builds trust and understanding, supporting both physical health and emotional well-being.
Background to research
Living with diabetes can put people at risk of serious complications, like sight loss, amputation or kidney disease. For many, fear of these potential health problems can impact their mental well-being. People with diabetes have regular health checks to pick up signs of complications, but these only detect damage once it has already started.
New tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to change this by identifying people at high risk much earlier, before any signs or symptoms appear. This could help them access the right care and treatment sooner, to slow or prevent harmful damage. At the same time, knowing you’re at high risk of complications could create additional emotional stress.
Research aims
Dr Rebecca Thomas and her PhD student want to better understand how people with diabetes feel about complication screening and AI-driven early warning systems, so that they are used in the best way.
Firstly, they’ll explore emotions around current diabetes eye screening. They’ll ask people to complete surveys about diabetes distress and keep diaries or voice notes whilst they're waiting for results.
Next, they’ll use focus groups to gauge how people with diabetes feel about using AI to predict complications. They’ll focus on an AI tool being developed by Diabetes UK researchers to detect the risk of developing foot problems by analysing hidden patterns within eye screening photos. They want to know if diabetes and fear of complications create any unique concerns about the technology that haven’t been considered in other AI studies.
They'll use these insights to develop better ways to communicate AI-generated risk predictions in a way that’s reassuring, and free from blame and judgment. They’ll also develop resources to help people understand AI in diabetes risk screening and build trust in its use.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
AI tools could revolutionise diabetes care, giving doctors and people with diabetes most at risk a window to act before complications develop. But for this technology to be truly helpful, people with diabetes need clear, supportive information that empowers them to make informed health decisions and doesn’t trigger added emotional stress.
By addressing people’s feelings about AI and how results would be communicated right from the start, this research aims to ensure that when AI is embedded into diabetes care it will best support both physical and emotional health.
