According to the latest research, nearly one-third of general practitioners in the UK have started using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, in their consultations with patients. The study, conducted by the Nuffield Trust think tank, is based on survey results from 2108 general practitioners and focus group discussions, revealing the rapid adoption of AI in the healthcare sector.

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The study indicates that while using AI tools helps reduce the workload of doctors, this rapid development also comes with the risk of insufficient regulation. The survey found that 598 doctors (28% of the total) reported using AI tools in their daily work, with a higher proportion of male doctors (33%) using them compared to female doctors (25%), and doctors in better economic areas having a higher usage rate.

Most doctors, whether they use AI or not, express concerns about potential professional responsibilities, medical legal issues, clinical errors, and patient privacy and data security. Dr. Beckie Fisher, the lead researcher at Nuffield Trust, pointed out that there is a significant gap between the government's expectations for AI transformation in the NHS (National Health Service) and the actual situation, making it difficult for doctors to feel confident when facing tools without national-level regulation.

While some regional health authorities support doctors in using AI, others have banned the practice. Additionally, the survey found that doctors often use the time saved by using AI for self-regulation and rest, rather than seeing more patients.

Another study published in the Digital Health Journal also showed that the percentage of general practitioners using AI increased from 20% to 25% last year. Dr. Charlotte Bliss, the lead researcher from Uppsala University in Sweden, stated that generative AI has moved from being taboo to becoming a medical tool within just one year. She emphasized that the real risk lies in doctors using AI without sufficient training and supervision.

At the same time, more and more patients are also using AI to improve their healthcare experience, especially when they cannot get an appointment with a general practitioner. Chris McCann, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the patient advocacy organization Healthwatch England, said that although patients still trust information from the NHS, about 9% of patients have started using AI tools to access health information. The quality of advice provided by AI varies, and in some cases, it can even be misleading.

The government established a dedicated committee in September, aiming to propose recommendations on how to ensure the safe, effective, and standardized use of AI in the healthcare sector. The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for further comments.

Key Points:

🌐 Nearly one-third of general practitioners use AI tools in consultations, mainly to reduce work pressure.

⚖️ Most doctors are concerned about AI use, particularly regarding legal responsibility and patient privacy.

🩺 More and more patients are also using AI to access health information, and the quality of AI advice varies.