American patients are divided regarding their comfort with the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in their healthcare experiences. A survey conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of Carta Healthcare revealed the following:
- Out of 1,027 adult patients surveyed, 49% were comfortable with healthcare providers using AI, while 51% were not. However, when considering AI’s potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, 51% were comfortable, and 42% were uncomfortable.
- Despite the growing potential of AI in healthcare, such as improving diagnostic accuracy and aiding time-strapped doctors, 75% of patients do not trust AI in a healthcare setting.
- Concerns include doubts about providers’ ability to use AI correctly, data privacy issues, and the potential impact on patient-provider relationships. For instance, 63% of patients fear that AI might reduce their face-to-face time with clinicians.
- However, there’s an acknowledgment of gaps in understanding AI. 43% of patients admitted their knowledge about AI in healthcare is limited. 80% believe that understanding AI better would increase their comfort levels, and about two-thirds feel that healthcare providers should explain their use of AI to patients.
- Preliminary data suggests AI can enhance the patient experience. For instance, AI-powered chatbots can assist in patient communication, and some studies have shown chatbots can effectively educate patients. Despite these benefits, trust in healthcare AI remains a challenge, with many patients still preferring traditional healthcare providers over AI-driven advice.