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Navigating the artificial intelligence-informed patient: a cross-sectional study of physicians' perceptions and
Malak Almalki1,2, Sama'a AlMubarak1
1Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal, Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) tools, patients are increasingly acquiring medical information independently. While existing literature focus on examining patients' use of AI tools, understanding physicians' perspective is essential for patient care. Currently, there is a lack of research examining physicians' perceptions and clinical practices regarding AI-informed patients, particularly concerning how these dynamics are influenced by physicians' sociodemographic factors.
Objective:
The study aimed to explore physicians' perceptions and practices towards patients' use of AI tools for health information seeking. It also assessed how their perceptions and practices differed given physician's sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess perceptions and clinical practices related to patients' use of AI-based tools. Data were collected through an online questionnaire of physicians in Saudi Arabia. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results:
A total of 393 physicians participated in the study, in which 66.7% of them encountered AI-informed patients. Overall, 54% were familiar with AI tools, 56.2% believed these tools empower patients, 40.5% reported a positive impact on the patient-physician relationship, and 78.4% identified risks regarding self-diagnosis. The majority of the physicians noted how AI-informed patients shaped their practices in terms of extended consultation time and challenged decision-making processes. Significant differences were found in physicians' perceptions and practices according to their age, gender, professional position, and healthcare sector.
Conclusion:
The findings of the study provide valuable insight to construct policies and guidelines to support the safe and effective utilization of AI-based tools. They also highlight the need for targeted patient awareness initiatives and highlight the need for developing physician training programs to effectively manage AI-informed patients and facilitate adaptation.
