Prioritizing Trust in Podiatrists' Preference for AI in Supportive Roles Over Diagnostic Roles in Health Care:...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Podiatric Medicine

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in healthcare for complex decision-making, surpassing human capabilities in some areas.
• Despite AI's potential, healthcare adoption faces challenges due to skepticism regarding AI decision reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore effective and acceptable methods for integrating AI into a wider range of healthcare tasks.
• To understand healthcare professionals' perspectives on AI's role in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Two qualitative phases involving interviews and a focus group with podiatrists.
• Thematic and framework analysis of recorded and transcribed data to identify patterns and insights.

Main Results:

• Podiatrists favor AI for supportive roles (e.g., triage) due to efficiency and process optimization.
• Hesitancy exists regarding AI for diagnostics, stemming from accuracy concerns and the value of human expertise.
• Transparency and explainability are crucial for building trust in AI systems.

Conclusions:

• Podiatrists exhibit a nuanced view, accepting AI in supportive roles while remaining cautious about diagnostic applications.
• A stepwise integration of AI, starting with trusted supportive roles, can gradually build confidence for more complex tasks.
• Strategic AI adoption is key to enhancing trust and acceptance in healthcare, aligning technology with professional standards and patient care.