Between Trust and Tension: Psychosocial Impact of AI Integration on Health Professionals' Wellbeing

ObjectiveThis study explored health professionals' experiences of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare with a particular focus on the potential benefits and challenges of using AI in clinical practice.MethodUsing a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of twenty-two health professionals from various medical specialties in northern Punjab, Pakistan. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes on AI adoption.ResultsHealth professionals recognized AI as a psychosocial modifier which increased efficiency and overall professional well-being. Participants expressed that AI should function as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human judgment, empathy, and patient interaction. They also acknowledged a hesitation to incorporate AI due to a distrust of its accuracy, and also indicated that institutions have been slow to adopt AI due to ethical, technical, and institutional challenges.ConclusionAI adoption is increasingly reshaping clinical practice, but sustainable integration in Pakistan requires balancing innovation with ethical safeguards, trust, and empathy.