Generative AI Utilization and Perspectives Among Reproductive-Age Women with Systemic Autoimmune and Rheumatic...

Reproductive-age women with systemic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (SARDs) have unique information needs related to their SARDs and reproductive health. We sought to understand their use of and receptivity to current and hypothetical generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for health information-seeking.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of women ages 18-48 with diverse SARDs who were enrolled in a research registry. Descriptive statistics, exploratory multivariable ordinal logistic regression, and thematic analysis were used to evaluate responses.

Of 270 eligible women, 190 completed the survey. Participants had an average age of 34.1 (S.D. 6.4) years. Most were familiar with generative AI (77.4%) and nearly 90% perceived that it might benefit healthcare; however, only 29% had used it to answer health questions. Eighty-eight percent were willing to use a physician-recommended AI tool. Interest in a hypothetical generative AI tool for SARDs management was associated with desire for personalized recommendations (OR 2.89, CI: 1.25-6.67). Approximately one-third expressed interest in using generative AI for information about medication safety during pregnancy or lactation, which was associated with younger age (OR 0.93, CI: 0.88-0.99), desire for timely access (OR 4.71, CI: 2.07-10.71), and increased information access (OR 2.56, CI: 1.20-5.43). In qualitative analysis, participants viewed generative AI as adjunctive to-not a replacement for-physician guidance.

Participants expressed interest in using generative AI for health information-seeking, but preferred tools endorsed by rheumatologists. A generative AI tool co-developed with rheumatologists and adjunctive to the patient-physician relationship could address information needs in this population.