Doctors using AI

Research commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC) sought to find out more about the types of AI doctors are using, how well they understand the risks.

Doctors who had used AI in the past 12 months discussed the benefits, risks and their understanding of their professional responsibilities when using such technologies, in a series of in-depth interviews with researchers from Community Research.

Most saw benefits to their efficiency when using AI, seeing it as a way to save or make more use of their time. However, some queried this saying they lacked confidence in the accuracy of some diagnostic and decision support systems, and so spent more time checking the results they received.

Many doctors felt that NHS IT systems would need to improve to pave the way for a broader roll-out of AI technologies, noting that many are highly specialised and still in the development stage. Doctors who currently use generative AI, such as Chat GPT, often do so through a current interest in AI.

Three types of AI were discussed.

• Generative AI: which produces text or image following prompts.
• Diagnostic and decision support systems (DDS): which aid the use of multimedia data, for example by identifying the presence of tumour on an MRI scan. It also includes tools for supporting decisions, outlining risks and predicting patient outcomes.
• Systems efficiency systems (SES): which predict missed appointments, maximise staffing and resource allocations, or optimise care pathways based on provided data.

A summary of the findings:

“Doctors using AI speak of the potential benefits of AI as well as the risks. In terms of risks, they raise concerns about the potential for data inputs used by AI to be inaccurate, incomplete or biased. The lack of transparency associated with AI decisions; doctors’ potential over-reliance on the technology ultimately leading to deskilling; and issues relating to patient confidentiality and informed consent are also highlighted. That said, a number of doctors argue that whether using AI or not, medicine is a profession with an inherent, unavoidable degree of risk. They explain that just as doctors have managed risks accompanying the introduction of other new processes, devices and procedures in the past, they will effectively manage the risks associated with AI in exactly the same way.”

Doctors’ views on the role regulators should take

Doctors believe that it is the regulators’ role (GMC and/or MHRA) to:

• Clarify responsibilities and risks associated with AI systems.
• Provide more support and guidance around ethical considerations relating to AI.
• Promote education and training.
• Keep abreast of advancements in AI

Shaun Gallagher, Director of Strategy and Policy at the GMC, said:

‘It’s clear that AI’s use in healthcare will continue to grow and projects like these give valuable insights into how doctors are using these systems day-to-day.

‘These views are helpful for us as a regulator, but also for wider healthcare organisations, in anticipating how we can best support the safe and efficient adoption of these technologies now, and into the future.’

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