The right to refuse diagnostics and treatment planning by artificial intelligence

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Patient Rights

Background:

• Growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnostics and treatment planning.
• Need to examine patient autonomy in the context of AI-driven healthcare.
• Ethical considerations surrounding AI in clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue for patients' right to withdraw from AI diagnostics and treatment planning.
• To identify key ethical and societal reasons supporting this right.
• To explore the implications of AI in patient-centered care.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of ethical frameworks for patient autonomy.
• Review of literature on AI bias and opacity in medical systems.
• Discussion of societal impacts of AI in healthcare.

Main Results:

• Patients' right to withdraw is supported by the physician's role in values-based care.
• AI bias and opacity present significant challenges to informed consent and trust.
• Societal concerns regarding AI's long-term effects necessitate patient control.

Conclusions:

• Patients should retain the right to refuse AI-driven medical diagnostics and treatment.
• Addressing AI bias, opacity, and societal impact is crucial for ethical AI implementation.
• Upholding patient autonomy is paramount in the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare.