Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can analyze vast amounts of patient data, identify patterns and trends, and make predictions based on this information. This technology can help doctors make more accurate diagnosis, recommend the most effective treatment, and even predict patient outcomes. While AI holds the potential to enhance patient care, it is accompanied by a host of concerns that demand careful consideration and resolution. Lack of in-person interaction is one of the main patient concerns associated with physicians using AI in clinical practice, according to a survey conducted by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s recent survey*, “AI in Clinical Practice – Patient Perspective 2023”, reveals that a lack of in-person interaction, followed by increased medical errors and data privacy and security concerns, was selected as the main concerns associated with healthcare professionals (HCPs) using AI in clinical practice.

Survey data also suggests that patients with prior knowledge of AI expressed a higher level of apprehension regarding the potential challenges associated with the implementation of this technology. This underscores the importance of addressing these apprehensions as AI technologies continue to advance and become more integrated into healthcare. Knowledge can lead to increased awareness of potential issues, thereby necessitating a proactive approach to mitigate these concerns.

Sachin Gharat, Associate Project Manager of Primary Research at GlobalData, comments: “While AI systems have the potential to deliver greater efficiency in healthcare, there is a trade-off as they often result in reduced perceived quality of care, characterized by fewer in-person interactions. What further compounds the issue is the haphazard implementation of AI systems across different regions, which raises uncertainty about their effects on future healthcare accessibility and quality, ultimately posing a risk of exacerbating health disparities among different states.”

AI tools in patient care offer significant potential to enhance the quality of healthcare services, improve patient outcomes, and make healthcare more accessible and efficient. However, their adoption also raises concerns regarding data privacy, algorithm biases, and the need to strike the right balance between AI and human expertise in healthcare. As AI continues to advance, it is essential to ensure its responsible and ethical use in patient care.

Sachin concludes: “The integration of AI into patient care systems presents several notable implementation challenges, which extend beyond the healthcare domain. These challenges include concerns related to safeguarding patient data, navigating ethical dilemmas, and addressing security vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, the momentum behind AI technologies is unmistakable, and their swift proliferation is poised to make them an integral part of the global landscape.”

*GlobalData’s survey consisted of 574 patients from the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, Brazil, Canada, India, and Mexico and was conducted between July 2023 – August 2023