Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: May 24, 2023
Date Accepted: Aug 31, 2023
Patient and public involvement and engagement to center public perceptions on translating Artificial Intelligence into clinical practice: a PPIE consultation using focus groups
ABSTRACT
Background:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely considered to be the new technical advancement capable of a large-scale modernization of healthcare. Considering AI’s potential impact on the clinician-patient relationship, healthcare provision, and healthcare systems more widely, patients and the wider public should be a part of the development, implementation, and embedding of AI-applications in healthcare. Failing to establish patient and public engagement and involvement (PPIE) can limit AI’s impact.
Objective:
(1) Understand patients’ and the public’s perceived benefits and challenges for AI. (2) Clarify how to best conduct PPIE in projects on translating AI into clinical practice given public perceptions of AI.
Methods:
This qualitative PPIE focus-group consultation was conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). Seventeen public collaborators representing seven National Institute of Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) across England participated in one of three online semi-structured focus group discussions. We explored public collaborators’ understandings, experiences, and perceptions of AI-applications in healthcare. Transcripts were co-analyzed iteratively with two public co-authors using thematic analysis.
Results:
We identified three primary deductive themes with seven corresponding inductive subthemes. Primary theme 1 -Advantages of implementing AI in healthcare– had two subthemes: System improvements and Benefit to patients and carers. Primary theme 2 -Challenges of implementing AI in healthcare– had three subthemes: Challenges with security, bias, and access, Public (mis)understanding of AI, and Lack of human touch in care and decision-making. Primary theme 3 -Recommendations on PPIE for AI in healthcare- had two subthemes: Experience, empowerment, and raising awareness, and acknowledging and supporting diversity in PPIE.
Conclusions:
Patients and the public can bring unique perspectives on the development, implementation, and embedding of AI for healthcare. Early PPIE is therefore crucial to safeguard patients, but also to increase the chances of acceptance of AI by the public and the impact AI can make in terms of outcomes.
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