A study commissioned by the Health Foundation revealed that more than three quarters of NHS staff (76%) are in favor of using AI to assist with patient care.
The research, which surveyed 1,292 NHS staff members and 7,200 members of the UK public aged 16 years and older, also showed that 81% of NHS staff support the use of AI for administrative tasks.
While the survey found that the public was less enthusiastic about AI, with 54% supporting its use in patient care and 61% for administrative purposes, there were concerns raised about the potential impact of AI on healthcare.
Some individuals, including 18% of the public and 11% of NHS staff, believed that AI could potentially worsen care quality. Additionally, there were concerns about the potential distancing effect that AI could have on the patient-provider relationship.
The Health Foundation has called for a dedicated strategy for AI in healthcare, emphasizing the need to address key priorities in order to fully realize the benefits of AI. Tim Horton, from the Health Foundation, highlighted the importance of engaging with patients, the public, and NHS staff to address concerns and ensure the successful integration of AI in healthcare.
Peter Kyle, the science secretary, recently appointed Matt Clifford to lead efforts in developing an action plan to harness AI’s potential for driving economic growth and improving outcomes in the UK.
