Presented during the ESTRO 2026 session “Advancing Radiation Oncology by Artificial Intelligence” by Dr Adam Raben, new research suggests that an AI avatar doctor may help cancer patients better understand radiotherapy before meeting their real-life consultant.
The study addresses a common challenge in oncology care: patients are often asked to process complex information and make important treatment decisions while feeling anxious or overwhelmed. This can be especially difficult in radiation oncology, where treatment concepts may be technical and unfamiliar.
Background
Patient understanding is essential for informed consent, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. However, even when doctors explain treatment carefully, patients may struggle to retain detailed information during a stressful first consultation.
To address this, the research team explored whether an AI avatar that looks and sounds like a doctor could prepare patients before their consultation. The aim was not to replace the physician, but to support patients before the real-life discussion begins.
Methods
The team worked with a digital technology company to create an AI doctor avatar designed to explain radiotherapy options and key treatment concepts.
The study included 1,464 cancer patients. Of these, 506 patients watched a standard educational video, while 958 patients watched an AI avatar-based video using personalized scripts and illustrations.
After viewing the material, all patients completed a multiple-choice quiz with teach-back to assess understanding and retention. They also completed a standardized satisfaction survey.
Key Findings
Patients who watched the personalized AI avatar videos showed better understanding of their treatment plan, greater ability to engage with healthcare decisions, reduced stress before consultation, and improved hospital satisfaction scores.
According to Dr Raben, patients were highly willing to engage with digital educational material before their first radiation oncology visit. The completion of the quiz by all patients also suggested active engagement rather than passive viewing.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that AI-based patient education may help patients arrive at consultations more prepared, less anxious, and more confident in asking informed questions.
This could make real-life consultations more productive by allowing physicians to focus more on individualized concerns, shared decision-making, and patient-specific treatment choices.
Importantly, the AI avatar was used as a preparatory tool before the consultation, not as a replacement for the treating physician.
Next Steps
The research team plans to expand the use of the avatar across the treatment journey and further assess its impact on patient anxiety, confidence in decision-making, and consultation efficiency.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into radiotherapy planning and delivery, this study highlights another possible role: improving communication, education, and the patient experience before treatment begins.
Conclusion
This ESTRO 2026 study suggests that meeting an AI doctor before a real-life oncology consultation may help cancer patients understand more, feel less stressed, and engage more actively in their care.
While further evaluation is needed, the findings support the growing role of AI not only in clinical workflows, but also in patient-centered communication and shared decision-making.
Read full press release here.