Survey-based research: When AI and Dermatologists disagree, what do patients choose?

Artificial intelligence (AI) shows significant promise in dermatology, particularly in image-based diagnostics. However, patient perceptions and trust in AI compared to dermatologists remain poorly understood.

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among adult patients attending the dermatology department of two hospitals in Lisbon between October 2024 and May 2025. The survey included 12 questions assessing technological literacy, attitudes toward AI, and responses to two hypothetical clinical scenarios involving conflicting recommendations from AI and dermatologists.

A total of 196 patients participated. Most respondents were technologically literate, though 78.6% were unfamiliar with AI applications in dermatology. While 61.3% believed AI could improve diagnostic accuracy, only 7.2% of participants agreed that it could replace dermatologists. In clinical scenarios with conflicting recommendations, most patients preferred seeking a second opinion from another dermatologist rather than following AI advice.

Patients view AI as a potentially valuable supportive tool in dermatology but place greater trust in human expertise. These findings highlight the importance of framing AI as an adjunct to, rather than a substitute for, dermatologists in clinical practice.