As per a recent survey conducted by GlobalData, approximately two-thirds of patients are at ease in healthcare settings that employ artificial intelligence, but only if they have prior exposure to and familiarity with the technology.
According to the findings, 60% of patients who had knowledge about AI expressed a high level of comfort when it came to receiving healthcare in an AI-enabled environment. Merely 7% of patients went on to report discomfort over unfamiliarity with the technology.
The main concern expressed by patients regarding medical professionals using AI in clinical practice was the lack of face-to-face interaction. Additionally, most patients conveyed a greater level of comfort with physicians using AI to streamline administrative duties rather than using it to directly manage patient care.
The main advantages of using AI in clinical practice include faster delivery of healthcare and the capacity to address healthcare staff shortages.
The survey says that individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 showed a higher level of acquaintance with AI compared to those aged 56 years and older. More than 50% of younger people rated their knowledge of AI as slightly or very familiar.
Urte Jakimaviciute, who happens to be the senior director of market research with GlobalData, highlighted the significance of AI for identifying image-based diseases such as cancer. She stressed the need for a strong regulatory framework and emphasised the importance of teaching patients about this tech.
As per her, this education should have the goal of enhancing the understanding of how AI is used, its possible advantages, and the risks that come with its widespread use. Ultimately, the aim is to build greater trust in AI. Enhancing knowledge allows individuals to make educated choices and diminishes prejudices associated with this technology.
Previous studies have also identified similar issues regarding trust. A recent study carried out in 2021 and published in the journal NPJ Digital Medicine examined consumer worries regarding the use of AI in healthcare. The study identified multiple areas of concern, like AI safety, potential limitations on choice for patients, a possible rise in healthcare costs, prejudices in data sources, as well as data security.
The researchers also went on to conclude that patient willingness to embrace AI depends on tackling and lowering these potential harms.
The recent GlobalData survey, titled Thematic Intelligence: AI in Clinical Practice – Patient Perspective 2023, gathered responses from 574 patients in various countries, including the likes of US, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Spain, Japan, Canada, Brazil, India, and Mexico.
The patients happened to be diagnosed with various conditions, including diabetes, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, chronic respiratory conditions, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, as well as inflammatory bowel disease. The survey occurred between July and August 2023.
