Patients Need Increased Transparency on the Use of AI in Healthcare

Concerns for Patients When AI is Used

The use of AI in healthcare is becoming increasingly mentioned due to its ability to transform personalized medicine. However, some patients may be concerned about the impact that AI will have on their care. First, a study was done where 31% reported feeling uncomfortable receiving a diagnosis created from AI, and 40.5% reported feeling somewhat uncomfortable [1]. Some top concerns included being afraid of misdiagnoses, privacy concerns, higher healthcare costs, and even discrimination concerns [1]. Patients were also concerned that AI wouldn’t be able to explain its rationale, even if it was mostly accurate in its prediction [1]. It appears that some patients are uncomfortable with the idea of AI. This shows that more education is needed to explain how AI would work, and how it can be reliable when used appropriately.

Although patients may be concerned with how trustworthy, reliable, and safe AI can be, there are other concerns. First, patients could be at risk of adverse health effects because the data used to train AI is inaccurate or contains bias against minorities [2]. Furthermore, the potential lack of validation tests or second opinions can lead to errors going unchecked [2]. Another concern is the lack of consent being provided for the data used to train machine models [2]. This can lead to sensitive patient data being leaked or used without the patient’s knowledge and permission. Additionally, AI can report data that is inaccurate or misleading, and it can be difficult to differentiate it between factual data [2]. This can lead to incorrect trends that harm patients rather than improve their health. Therefore, policymakers need to ensure that patients and their data are protected while AI is implemented.

Remedies to Make Patients Feel More Comfortable with AI

Patients need to be educated on how AI will be implemented so they can feel more comfortable with it. This means being transparent with how AI is trained, implemented, and deployed. Furthermore, health IT companies need to ensure that models used to train their machine learning systems are tested for bias and don’t discriminate between patient populations. Healthcare leaders should also make sure that these models are tested [3]. This can be done through the use of diverse data that is representative of the patient population [3]. Leaders also need to create feedback loops and readjust when false information is detected in the models [3]. Overall, the success of AI relies on building its trust with the patient population. This requires policymakers and healthcare leaders to prioritize patients’ needs and be transparent about both the potential benefits and risks associated with AI.

Overall Benefits of AI in Improving Patient Care

AI has the potential to improve the patient experience and reduce adverse health effects. First, AI can be used to streamline how data is collected, stored, and analyzed [4]. This allows patients to have more time with their doctors since less time will be spent on administrative tasks. Furthermore, AI can be used with remote healthcare to collect a patient’s vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and more [4]. Machine learning tools can also be used to predict trends in a patient’s health record and can determine which course of action is better. Artificial intelligence can also be used to determine real-time supply and demand, which can help allocate patient resources accordingly [4].

AI can also be used to provide virtual assistance through chat boxes so patients can search for quick questions, schedule appointments, and even receive reminders [5]. Furthermore, AI provides personalized care based on a patient’s health record and performance [5]. This means that all of a patient’s information can be used to predict the best treatment plan just for them. Patients will be able to receive proactive care that can detect worsening symptoms and promote regular contact with their care team [5]. AI is an effective tool that improves patient outcomes by analyzing patient data so doctors can make more informed decisions [5]. Although there is a lot of work still needed, patients can feel more comfortable with AI when provided sufficient resources and education on how AI can improve their health outcomes. Therefore, policymakers and healthcare leads should emphasize the transparency of AI with patients.

HITS

HITS provides management services and collaborates with clinicians in the development of health informatics. We provide tools that promote safe, timely, patient-centered, and equitable care. Our agency culture and mission facilitate customer and human-centered design. Additionally, we tailor software and project management support products to meet our customer’s needs. HITS also focuses on transforming health care by analyzing integrated medical solutions and evaluating information systems. We aim to enhance individual and population health outcomes, improve patient care, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship. Finally, HITS expands the ability for individuals to safely and securely contribute relevant and usable electronic health information.

References

1. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2791851
2. https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2023-who-calls-for-safe-and-ethical-ai-for-health 
3. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/healthcare-must-set-guardrails-around-ai-transparency-and-safety
4. https://mend.com/future-role-ai-and-patient-engagement-in-healthcare/ 
5. https://www.classicinformatics.com/blog/artificial-intelligence-in-healthcare-transforming-patient-experience#:~:text=The%20technology%20is%20helpful%20to,a%20more%20positive%20experience%20overall.