Physician Confidence in Healthcare AI Grows, but Concerns Persist
A recent survey by the American Medical Association (AMA) indicates a growing enthusiasm among physicians for the integration of (artificial intelligence) AI in healthcare, though significant concerns remain. The survey, conducted in November 2024 with 1,183 physicians, revealed that 35% of respondents felt their enthusiasm for health AI outweighed their concerns, an increase from 30% in 2023. Conversely, those whose concerns surpassed their enthusiasm decreased from 29% to 25% over the same period. Approximately 40% of physicians maintained an equal level of excitement and concern about healthcare AI, a figure that remained consistent between 2023 and 2024.
The survey highlighted that 68% of physicians in 2024 acknowledged definite or some advantages to utilizing AI technology, a slight rise from 65% in 2023. Additionally, AI adoption in medical practices saw a significant increase, with 66% of physicians reporting usage in 2024, up from 38% the previous year. A majority of 57% identified the primary opportunity for AI in mitigating administrative burdens, a marginal increase from 56% in 2023.
Clinical documentation, including the recording of visit notes and the generation of discharge instructions, remains a key area where physicians find AI applications particularly relevant. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H., the AMA’s immediate past president, commented on these findings, stating, “The AMA survey illustrates that physicians are increasingly intrigued by the assistive role of health AI and the potential of AI-enabled tools to reduce administrative burdens, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and personalize treatments.”
Despite the growing interest, physicians continue to express concerns regarding the implementation of AI in healthcare. Key issues include potential risks to data privacy, challenges in integrating AI systems with existing electronic health records (EHRs), the possibility of AI tools providing incorrect conclusions or recommendations, and the emergence of new liability concerns. Ehrenfeld emphasized these apprehensions, noting that unresolved issues persist concerning the design of health AI and its potential implications.
To bolster physician confidence and encourage the adoption of AI, surveyed physicians indicated a need for increased oversight as the primary regulatory action. In 2024, the top facilitators identified for AI adoption among physicians included the establishment of designated feedback channels (88%), assurances of data privacy (87%), and effective integration with EHR systems (84%). In contrast, the 2023 survey highlighted data privacy assurances (87%), protection from liability for AI model errors (87%), and comprehensive medical liability coverage (86%) as the main enablers for AI adoption.
These findings underscore a cautious optimism within the medical community regarding the integration of AI into healthcare practices. While there is a clear recognition of the potential benefits, physicians are advocating for careful consideration of the associated risks and the implementation of robust safeguards to ensure that AI tools are both effective and secure in enhancing patient care.
