Experiences of Patients With Breast Cancer Using Generative Artificial Intelligence for Treatment Related Decision Preparation: A Qualitative Study
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Purpose To explore how patients with breast cancer experience, interpret, and use generative artificial intelligence for treatment related decision preparation, and to identify implications for nurse mediated guidance. Methods Face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 20 women with breast cancer at a tertiary hospital in China between August 2025 and March 2026. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling to achieve variation in age, educational background, disease stage, treatment phase and experience of generative artificial intelligence use. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results Four interrelated themes were developed: (1) turning to generative artificial intelligence to fill information and emotional gaps between clinical encounters; (2) converting complex medical information into decision preparation; (3) practising calibrated trust in AI-generated information; and (4) needing nurse-mediated guardrails for safe and meaningful use of AI in decision support. Together, these themes showed that participants used generative AI as a patient-initiated resource for decision preparation, while continuing to rely on clinicians’ judgement and expecting nurses to support safer, more contextualized and more meaningful AI use. Conclusions Generative artificial intelligence was used by patients with breast cancer as a patient-initiated resource for decision preparation between clinical encounters. Although it helped participants organise information and clarify concerns, it also created new burdens related to credibility, individual applicability and emotional responses. Nurse-mediated support is needed to promote the safe, appropriate and meaningful use of generative artificial intelligence in breast cancer decision preparation.
Source: Research Square
Authors: Donghong Wang, Haoyang Li, Yang Lin, Rong Huang
Language: English
Subfield: Health Informatics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204231192