Determinants of the implementation of an artificial intelligence-supported device for the screening of diabetic retinopathy in primary care – a qualitative study

Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus that is usually asymptomatic in the early stages. Therefore, its timely detection and treatment are essential. First pilot projects exist to establish a smartphone-based and AI-supported screening of DR in primary care. This study explored health professionals’ perceptions of potential barriers and enablers of using a screening such as this in primary care to understand the mechanisms that could influence implementation into routine clinical practice. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted and analysed with the help of qualitative analysis of Mayring. The following main influencing factors to implementation have been identified: personal attitude, organisation, time, financial factors, education, support, technical requirement, influence on profession and patient welfare. Most determinants could be relocated in the behaviour change wheel, a validated implementation model. Further research on the patients’ perspective and a ranking of the determinants found is needed.