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Half of Brits unfamiliar with AI in NHS, as doctors warn more engagement needed to build trust
People are far more accepting of AI being used in the NHS when they are familiar with AI in general, showing the need for greater public engagement, according to a survey of public attitudes to AI in healthcare conducted by J.L. Partners on behalf of the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). The findings reveal broad recognition of AI’s
potential benefits in healthcare. However, there are hesitations about its implementation, with the public extremely sceptical about AI replacing the role of human doctors. The UK-wide survey found that:
l The public recognise the benefits AI could bring – helping doctors, saving time and bringing down waiting lists.
l Less than half (46%) of the public have heard of AI being used in healthcare.
l The more familiar people are with AI, the more comfortable they are with its use in healthcare. While just 40% overall feel comfortable with healthcare AI, that figure rises to 76% among those who are very familiar with AI.
l The public are particularly confident in AI’s ability to support radiology, including diagnostic tasks. 4 in 5 people support the use of AI in radiology despite only 2 in 5 feeling comfortable with AI in healthcare more generally.
However, people overwhelmingly believe that doctors should not be replaced by AI but should use it to assist them and save time. Only 13% think that
radiologists should not use any AI tools. The public trust doctors and want them to
oversee the use of AI in healthcare. They want doctors to ensure that AI will not make the wrong diagnoses or reduce human interaction between patients and their doctors, and they want assurance that their data will be safe and secure. The public have far more trust in their data being
used to train AI models when that is managed by the NHS or their local GP, compared to when managed by abstract entities such as ‘government’ or ‘health technology companies’. This new insight into public attitudes comes as leading experts warn that the NHS must adopt AI if it is to meet rising demand. In a joint statement published by the RCR, clinical AI experts and policy
leaders also say that AI rollout must be led by clinicians, and patients must hear the positive case for AI in the NHS. There is a persistent 30% shortfall in radiologists, despite increasing demand for CT and MRI scans every year. This chronic workforce shortage is causing
delays to patients getting diagnosed and treated. While the research makes clear that AI cannot replace the role of doctors, the Royal College of Radiologists calls for an urgent, effective rollout of AI – for functions such as administration as well as clinical support - to relieve pressures on staff. Dr Katharine Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: “Though the public are largely unaware of how AI is being used in the NHS, they recognise its potential. Successfully harnessing AI will be crucial to tackle pressures on the health service – freeing up doctors and other healthcare staff to spend more time with patients. “Our research shows that people trust doctors
and want them to oversee the use of AI in healthcare. In fact, AI tools are already used in over 60% of cancer centres and 70% of radiology departments, and the public feel confident about AI being used in this way. “We need a national conversation on the use of AI in healthcare so that we bring people with us and reap the benefits for patient care..” Read the report at: rcr-reports-the-future-
of-ai-in-healthcare-public-perceptions-of-ai-in- radiology.pdf
Government launches call for evidence on men’s health
The government is calling for men of all ages to come forward and feed into England’s first ever men’s health strategy. The 12-week call for evidence will gather vital insights from the public, health and social care professionals, academics and employers so the government can properly consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest issues facing men from all backgrounds.
It will ask for their views on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women, as men in England die nearly 4 years earlier than women, on average. Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting,
said: “Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. “Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these
the government’s Plan for Change can work across the board to improve the health and wellbeing of men, through: l Prevention - finding the right areas and the right ways to promote healthier behaviours.
l Diagnosis and treatment – improving outcomes for health conditions that hit men harder.
l Encouragement to come forward – improving men’s access to, engagement with and experience of the health service.
issues head on through a men’s health strategy, and this call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, what doesn’t, and how we can design services men will actually use. I urge people to come forward to share their views.” The call for evidence will seek responses on how
Amy O’Connor, Global Lead, Policy and Advocacy at Movember, said: “Too many men are dying too young. The men’s health strategy is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in positive change for men and their loved ones. Share your solutions – whether it’s more community support groups, improved education or enhancing clinical training, to create a lasting impact on the future of men’s health.”
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