Healthcare ethics and artificial intelligence: a UK doctor survey.

BMJ Open

Centre for Social Ethics and Policy, Department of Law, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Published: December 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study surveyed 272 UK doctors about their use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, focusing on their knowledge, concerns, and views on regulation.
  • Most doctors felt they had limited knowledge of AI, with men rating themselves higher than women, and younger doctors in training were more likely to use AI compared to more experienced doctors.
  • Concerns about AI included patient safety and confidentiality, leading to a strong call from doctors for more regulatory guidelines from professional bodies regarding AI usage in their practices.

Article Abstract

Objectives: To survey UK doctors on their uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and of their views on the ethics and regulation of AI in healthcare.

Design: Anonymous cross-sectional e-survey.

Setting: An online survey of UK General Medical Council (GMC) registered doctors.

Participants: 272 individuals.

Main Outcome Measures: Likert-scale responses to questions covering personal use of AI, concerns about AI, requirements for introduction of AI and views on necessary AI regulation in healthcare.

Results: Most doctors rated themselves as slightly or moderately knowledgeable about AI, with men rating their knowledge levels higher than women. Doctors in training are more likely to have used AI than doctors after training. 37% of doctors who use AI reported using AI to help write the required reflective pieces for their portfolio. Doctors reported concerns about AI regarding patient safety and patients' right to confidentiality. They also expressed a strong desire for further regulation of AI in healthcare and, specifically, for their professional bodies to draft guidelines for the use of AI by doctors.

Conclusions: This study provides useful insights into UK doctors' uses of AI in healthcare and their opinions on its introduction and regulation. It provides a case for guidance on the use of AI in the reflective practices of doctors and for further evaluation of doctors' concerns about AI in healthcare. We call on doctors' professional bodies (GMC, BMA and royal colleges) to draft professional guidance for doctors using AI.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089090DOI Listing

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