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When It Comes to Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Patients Fear the Replacement of Doctors

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by Angela Guess

A recent press release states, “Syneos Health Communications today released a report that provides pioneering perspectives into patients’ thought processes as they confront a future with artificial intelligence (AI). The first of its kind research reveals that excitement over healthcare AI in the scientific and investor communities doesn’t necessarily translate into enthusiasm from patients and caregivers at the receiving end of AI services. While more than 300 venture capital and private equity deals have funded healthcare AI experiments over the last five years, the conversation has been primarily led by technologists, scientists, or providers focused on the potential role of AI in predicting or diagnosing conditions. Until now, the missing component in this AI healthcare conversation has been patient and caregiver perspectives.”

According to the release, the findings of the survey include: “(1) Fears of AI in Healthcare: The survey indicates that the top two fears patients and caregivers have when it comes to artificial intelligence are lack of human oversight and the potential for machine errors leading to mismanagement of their health. (2) No Substitute for Your Doctor: When it comes to the possibilities of doctors being replaced by algorithms or robots, fears are clearly evident with fewer than 20 percent of patients surveyed perceiving any benefit to their future healthcare in receiving diagnosis or treatment recommendations from a virtual assistant. (3) Strong Comfort in Using AI to Scale and Support Nurses: Switch the focus to the critical role played by nurses in supporting patients, and a different picture emerges.”

Read more at Nasdaq.

Photo credit: Syneos

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