A recent survey by Bain and Company, the "US Frontline of Healthcare," highlights a notable shift in patient attitudes toward generative artificial intelligence in healthcare. According to the study, US patients express greater comfort with AI analyzing their radiology scans and making diagnoses than with interacting directly with technology. Nearly half of the consumers surveyed are now comfortable with at least one AI application in healthcare, reflecting a broader trend of acceptance.
However, there remains a cautionary note among healthcare providers, with 19% of physicians and 17% of administrators worried that AI could undermine the patient-clinician relationship. This concern echoes historical apprehensions about technology, such as those seen with telehealth, which has since been embraced as a complement to in-person care.
The survey also reveals that while 43% of providers acknowledge AI's potential to alleviate administrative burdens, there is a significant gap in readiness for widespread AI adoption. Eric Berger of Bain and Company emphasizes the importance of integrating AI in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, the patient-clinician relationship. Despite these challenges, Bain’s research underscores AI's potential to improve efficiency in healthcare settings, particularly in managing patient flow and scheduling, which could address long-standing issues like wait times.
