Patients are becoming more and more open to the use of AI in health care, as they see its potential to reduce administrative work for providers – and therefore create more significant time with them.
In fact, almost 60% of patients support the use of AI if it means that they spend more time with their doctor, according to recent research from the Modmed health software company. This underlines the strong and continuous desire of patients for human connection, noted Dan Cane, co-founder and C-PDG of Modmed.
Research is based on a survey of 2,000 American patients concerning their feelings and their expectations for AI applications in health care, especially within the doctor’s office.
Patients are starting to understand how AI can benefit health care providers, recognizing that it can rationalize tasks and reduce waiting times – ultimately giving suppliers to focus on the direct care of patients, said Cane.
“Health care providers play a central role in strengthening this initial confidence by openly communicating their practices concerning the use of AI and the guarantees they have implemented,” he said.
Cane has recommended that suppliers emphasize transparency, as well as clearly communicating on data confidentiality protocols and biases attenuation.
The survey has shown that most patients want to be informed if AI is used during their appointments, which strengthens the need for transparency, he added.
He also encouraged providers to explain how AI is used to improve the patient’s experience without replacing human expertise. In his eyes, this type of proactive communication will be the key to solidifying patient acceptance.
Patients said they wanted this communication to go through direct conversations with their doctor or notification forms that require the patient’s signature. Other channels such as the supplier’s website or the patient portal can complete these direct approaches, said Cane.
“Beyond the simple revelation of the presence of AI, patients may want to understand how AI supports their care.
It is also important to remember that health care is still in the first stages of its AI transformation and that industry is just starting to see significant results, he said.
Modmed’s research suggests that patients are comfortable with some, but not all AI applications in health care, which cane highlighted is an excellent place to build.
“AI’s successful integration into health care dependencies on a trifecta of trust. It requires safe and reliable products that give suppliers confidence to defend their use through practice, and the confidence of patients resulting from a clear understanding of how AI improves their experience of care.
Overall, he thinks that providers are only placed to fill the gaps with regard to patient confidence in AI.
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