⚡ Quick Summary
A qualitative study explored the barriers and facilitators to adopting a Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) tool for cervical cancer detection among health care providers (HCPs) in Western Cameroon. The findings highlight critical factors influencing the acceptability and integration of CAD tools in clinical workflows.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Participants: 8 health care providers (6 midwives, 2 gynecologists)
- 🗣️ Methodology: Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions
- 📍 Location: Dschang district, Western Cameroon
- 🛠️ Analysis Tool: ATLAS.ti software
- 📅 Study Period: Conducted in 2025
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 🔍 Barriers: Challenges with system usability, data security, and limited resources.
- 💡 Facilitators: Improved patient care and enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
- 🛠️ Infrastructure: Adequate infrastructure and training are essential for successful CAD integration.
- 🔄 Workflow Changes: Potential workflow adaptations needed for effective use of CAD tools.
- 📝 Trust Building: Importance of clinical validation and usability testing to foster trust in CAD tools.
- 🌍 Contextual Factors: Understanding local contexts is crucial for technology adoption in LMICs.
- 🚀 Pilotitis Risk: Need to avoid “pilotitis” by ensuring comprehensive technology management.
📚 Background
Cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where traditional diagnostic methods like visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) are prevalent. The subjectivity involved in VIA can lead to variability in diagnostic accuracy, making the integration of CAD systems a promising solution to enhance objectivity and reliability in cervical cancer detection.
🗒️ Study
This study aimed to delve into the perspectives of health care providers regarding the adoption of CAD tools for VIA in Western Cameroon. Through qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, the researchers sought to identify the barriers and facilitators that could impact the sustained use of this technology in clinical settings.
📈 Results
The study identified several key elements influencing the adoption of CAD tools. Barriers included concerns about the ease of use, challenges with image acquisition, and issues related to data confidentiality. On the other hand, facilitators highlighted the potential for improved patient care and the integration of CAD into routine practices, provided that adequate infrastructure and training were in place.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The insights from this study are vital for guiding the adoption of CAD tools in similar resource-constrained settings. By addressing the identified barriers and leveraging the facilitators, health care systems can enhance cervical cancer screening processes, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The study underscores the importance of involving end users in the technology adoption process to ensure that CAD tools are effectively integrated into clinical workflows.
🔮 Conclusion
This research highlights the significant potential of CAD technology in enhancing the objectivity of cervical cancer diagnostics. However, to realize this potential, it is crucial to address the barriers related to data management, workflow adaptation, and infrastructure limitations. A comprehensive approach to technology management, including user-focused training and regulatory compliance, is essential for successful implementation in LMICs.
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Barriers and Facilitators to the Preadoption of a Computer-Aided Diagnosis Tool for Cervical Cancer: Qualitative Study on Health Care Providers’ Perspectives in Western Cameroon.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Computer-aided detection and diagnosis (CAD) systems can enhance the objectivity of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), which is widely used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for cervical cancer detection. VIA’s reliance on subjective health care provider (HCP) interpretation introduces variability in diagnostic accuracy. CAD tools can address some limitations; nonetheless, understanding the contextual factors affecting CAD integration is essential for effective adoption and sustained use, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the barriers and facilitators perceived by HCPs in Western Cameroon regarding sustained CAD tool use for cervical cancer detection using VIA. The aim was to guide smooth technology adoption in similar settings by identifying specific barriers and facilitators and optimizing CAD’s potential benefits while minimizing obstacles.
METHODS: The perspectives of HCPs on adopting CAD for VIA were explored using a qualitative methodology. The study participants included 8 HCPs (6 midwives and 2 gynecologists) working in the Dschang district, Cameroon. Focus group discussions were conducted with midwives, while individual interviews were conducted with gynecologists to comprehend unique perspectives. Each interview was audio-recorded, transcribed, and independently coded by 2 researchers using the ATLAS.ti (Lumivero, LLC) software. The technology acceptance lifecycle framework guided the content analysis, focusing on the preadoption phases to examine the perceived acceptability and initial acceptance of the CAD tool in clinical workflows. The study findings were reported adhering to the COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) and SRQR (Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklists.
RESULTS: Key elements influencing the sustained use of CAD tools for VIA by HCPs were identified, primarily within the technology acceptance lifecycle’s preadoption framework. Barriers included the system’s ease of use, particularly challenges associated with image acquisition, concerns over confidentiality and data security, limited infrastructure and resources such as the internet and device quality, and potential workflow changes. Facilitators encompassed the perceived improved patient care, the potential for enhanced diagnostic accuracy, and the integration of CAD tools into routine clinical practices, provided that infrastructure and training were adequate. The HCPs emphasized the importance of clinical validation, usability testing, and iterative feedback mechanisms to build trust in the CAD tool’s accuracy and utility.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides practical insights from HCPs in Western Cameroon regarding the adoption of CAD tools for VIA in clinical settings. CAD technology can aid diagnostic objectivity; however, data management, workflow adaptation, and infrastructure limitations must be addressed to avoid “pilotitis”-the failure of digital health tools to progress beyond the pilot phase. Effective implementation requires comprehensive technology management, including regulatory compliance, infrastructure support, and user-focused training. Involving end users can ensure that CAD tools are fully integrated and embraced in LMICs to aid cervical cancer screening.
Author: [‘Jonnalagedda-Cattin M’, ‘Moukam Datchoua AM’, ‘Yakam VF’, ‘Kenfack B’, ‘Petignat P’, ‘Thiran JP’, ‘Schönenberger K’, ‘Schmidt NC’]
Journal: JMIR Cancer
Citation: Jonnalagedda-Cattin M, et al. Barriers and Facilitators to the Preadoption of a Computer-Aided Diagnosis Tool for Cervical Cancer: Qualitative Study on Health Care Providers’ Perspectives in Western Cameroon. Barriers and Facilitators to the Preadoption of a Computer-Aided Diagnosis Tool for Cervical Cancer: Qualitative Study on Health Care Providers’ Perspectives in Western Cameroon. 2025; 11:e50124. doi: 10.2196/50124