Patient Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence-Supported Shared Decision-Making in UK Primary Care for Multiple...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Rising global prevalence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) necessitates advanced patient care strategies.
• Polypharmacy and complex health needs in MLTC patients underscore the importance of shared decision-making (SDM).
• Existing barriers to SDM include limited consultation time, care discontinuity, and communication issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient perspectives on SDM with general practitioners (GPs).
• To investigate patient views on using an AI tool to support SDM in prescribing decisions for MLTCs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 18 patients with MLTCs.
• Semistructured interviews utilizing patient vignettes and a visual AI tool dashboard.
• Thematic analysis of data collected from GP practices and community organizations.

Main Results:

• Patients recognized AI's potential to summarize information and enhance patient-clinician communication for SDM.
• Key themes included system-level barriers (time, continuity) and AI tool design/implementation concerns.
• Participants stressed AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment, highlighting needs for transparency and clear explanations.

Conclusions:

• AI shows promise for enhancing SDM in general practice, improving communication and collaboration.
• Patient concerns regarding AI accuracy, transparency, and depersonalization must be addressed.
• Recommendations emphasize clear, accessible AI outputs in lay language, transparency in data sources, and inclusive co-design with diverse patient input.