JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in medical care, particularly in the areas of image recognition and processing. While its practical use in other areas is still limited, an understanding of patients' needs is essential for the practical and sustainable implementation of AI, which could further acceptance of new innovations.

Objective:

To explore patients' perceptions towards acceptance, challenges of implementation, and potential applications of AI in medical care.

Methods:

The study employed a qualitative research design. To capture a broad range of patient perspectives, we conducted semi-structured focus groups (FGs). As a stimulus for the FGs and as an introduction to the topic, we presented a video defining AI and showing three potential AI applications in healthcare. Participants were recruited from different locations in the regions of Halle (Saale) and Erlangen, Germany; all but one group were from outpatient settings. We analysed the data using a content analysis approach.

Results:

35 patients (13 female: 22 male, 23–92 years old, median age 50) participated in six focus groups. They highlighted that AI acceptance in medical care could be improved through user-friendly applications, clear instructions, feedback mechanisms, and a patient-centred approach. Perceived key barriers included data protection concerns, lack of human oversight, and profit-driven motives. Perceived challenges and requirements for AI implementation involved compatibility, training of end-users, environmental sustainability, and adherence to quality standards. Potential AI application areas identified included diagnostics, image and data processing, and administrative tasks, though participants stressed that AI should remain a support tool, not an autonomous system. Most opposed its use in psychology due to the need of human interaction.

Conclusions:

Patients were generally open to the use of AI in medical care as a support tool rather than as an independent decision-making system. Acceptance and successful use of AI in medical care could be achieved if it is easy to use, adapted to individual characteristics of the users and accessible to everyone, with the primary aim of enhancing patient well-being. AI in healthcare requires a regulatory framework, quality standards and monitoring to ensure socially fair and environmentally sustainable development. However, the successful implementation of AI in medical practice depends on overcoming the mentioned challenges and addressing user needs.