More than three quarters of staff surveyed were in favour of using AI for patient care, while 81{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497} also supported its use for administrative tasks.
The public were less positive about artificial intelligence (AI), though more than half (54{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497}) still supported its use in patient care. Six in 10 (61{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497}) also approved of its use in administration.
Among the public, the 16-24 age group was least likely to believe that AI would improve patient care. Women were also less likely to believe this than men. Around 18{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497} members of the public thought that AI would make patient care worse.
The most prominent concerns around AI among the public were its accuracy and impact on the interpersonal aspect of care. One in three respondents worried that healthcare staff would not question the output of AI systems, leading to errors.
Only 11{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497} of the staff surveyed felt that AI would make care worse. However 65{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497} said they thought it would make them feel more distant from patients.
While 57{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497} of all staff were looking forward to using AI within their role, dental and medical staff were found to be more positive than other groups.
To reach these figures, the Health Foundation surveyed 1,292 NHS staff and 7,200 members of the public.
Addressing public concerns around AI
Tim Horton is assistant director of insight and analysis at the Health Foundation. He said: ‘Interest is growing rapidly in the potential of artificial intelligence to improve health care. While it is not a panacea, it could play a significant role in helping to ease NHS pressures and support the workforce.’
Previous surveys have found the public to be much less positive about the use of AI. In February 2023, 57{e60f258f32f4d0090826105a8a8e4487cca35cebb3251bd7e4de0ff6f7e40497} respondents to a survey said that AI would worsen the patient-provider relationship. However, greater knowledge of AI was found to improve the public’s perception of it. Half of those who said they knew a lot about AI would be happy for it to be used in their care.
Tim Horton also stressed the importance of improving public and staff confidence in AI systems for them to succeed. He said: ‘If AI is to be accepted, and the benefits fully realised, it will have to command the confidence of patients, the public and NHS staff.
‘The Health Foundation’s research suggests the public and NHS staff, on balance, support the use of AI for clinical and administrative purposes. But some remain unconvinced, and so it’s crucial to engage people in a conversation about the future of health care – in order to understand and address their concerns.’
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