The Future Role of Clinical Artificial Intelligence: View of Chronic Patients

Artificial intelligence (AI) can transform various aspects of healthcare, including diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and preventative care. Patients’ attitudes and views are considered critical factors for the development and success of AI-based technology in healthcare delivery. This study seeks to explore the chronic patients’ perceptions, including their knowledge, concerns regarding misuse and abuse, their attitude toward AI involvement, and their views on the future role of AI in healthcare delivery. Using the convenience sampling technique, 219 chronic-condition participants completed an online survey. This study leveraged Hayes Process Macro to develop a moderated mediation model to analyze the collected data. Our results showed that patients’ knowledge of AI did not directly influence their perceptions of the future of AI in healthcare. Nonetheless, the evidence from the mediational analysis revealed an indirect effect, where concerns about AI misuse and abuse and extensive AI involvement played a role in that. Additionally, the level of trustworthiness moderated the relationship between acceptance of extensive AI involvement and patients’ perception of AI’s future role. These findings highlight the importance of considering patients’ views and attitudes towards AI and addressing any concerns or fears they may have in order to build trust and confidence in clinical AI systems, which can ultimately lead to better health outcomes.