The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Care: A Values-Based Guide for Shared Decision Making

Area of Science:

• Healthcare AI
• Clinical Decision Making
• Bioethics

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant potential for advancing diagnosis and treatment in healthcare, particularly in oncology.
• Integrating AI into clinical practice necessitates considering patient values, yet practical guidance for clinicians is lacking.
• Existing literature highlights key patient values such as trust, privacy, safety, autonomy, and equity relevant to AI adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide clinicians with a practical, values-based guide for incorporating patient values into shared decision-making processes concerning AI in clinical care.
• To facilitate critical reflection among clinicians regarding the ethical implications of AI in patient treatment.
• To empower clinicians to engage patients effectively in discussions about AI utilization.

Main Methods:

• Development of a practical guide for clinicians focused on shared decision-making.
• Identification of key patient values relevant to AI in healthcare through literature review.
• Outline of a structured approach for clinicians to discuss AI options with patients, considering their values.

Main Results:

• The guide offers specific questions for clinicians to consider when implementing AI.
• It emphasizes exploring patient-clinician understanding of illness and promoting open dialogue on patient values.
• The framework supports reviewing all clinically appropriate options to align decisions with patient values.

Conclusions:

• This values-based guide offers a practical framework for clinicians to navigate the integration of artificial intelligence into patient care.
• It promotes shared decision-making by ensuring patient values are central to the adoption of AI technologies.
• The guide is applicable across diverse clinical settings and AI applications in healthcare.