Health professionals' perspectives on the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare: A systematic review.

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast emerging as a crucial tool for improving patient care and treatment outcomes; however, concerns persist among health professionals about potential compromises in quality care and loss of jobs. The availability of systematic evidence on health professionals' perspectives on AI in healthcare is limited. This systematic review aims to document the perceived advantages and disadvantages associated with AI applications in healthcare. We conducted a comprehensive search across databases - Embase, PubMed/Medline, IEEE, and Epistemonikos up to November 2023, using 'Artificial Intelligence' AND 'health professionals' as key domains. We searched for studies that describe the perceptions of healthcare professionals towards AI in healthcare. We identified 3931 records. After screening, 25 articles were selected, and 11 were included in the final review. The studies highlight the benefits of AI in healthcare, such as consultation summaries, data management, patient triaging, and referrals, but also raise concerns about job loss, over-reliance, legal implications, and data privacy concerns. AI enhances care delivery efficiency, and concerns arise due to knowledge and experience gaps. Therefore, healthcare workforce education and skill development are crucial for AI adoption, implementation, and future research.