Some doctors using AI in consultations despite patient objections

One woman has detailed how she objected to the doctor using AI but she was ignored.

"This meant that my voice, appearance, body, health and personal information was all shared to AI to train models against my will.
This is unacceptable and doctors should not be forcing patients to have AI used on them. There is an imbalance of power; patients need answers and it is disgraceful that they can't have them unless they agree to AI."

The woman says she has spoken to dozens of women who have put in similar situations. She has been reluctant to name the hospital or doctor as she is continuing treatment and does not want this to affect her healthcare.

She has since started a petition to stop the practice.

Recent polling found that two-thirds of Irish people are concerned about the technology replacing doctors and nurses and one-in-two are concerned about the use of AI by doctors to assist in clinical decision-making.

The poll of 1,000 adults in Ireland found that 70 percent are comfortable with AI helping to reduce waiting times and 64 percent are comfortable with it speeding up test results.

Concerns with the use of AI medical tools also extended to data privacy (67 percent) and losing personal connection with one’s doctor (66 percent).

A spokesperson for the The Minister for Health said that despite artificial intelligence's (AI) potential to support patients and healthcare professionals, the use of AI must always be safe, transparent, accountable and centred on the needs, rights and interests of patients.

"HIQA’s guidance emphasises that health and social care services should be transparent about the use of AI tools, including informing people when, where and for what purpose they are used. It states that people using services should be supported to make informed decisions about the use of AI in their care, while ensuring that privacy and confidentiality are protected," the department told JOE.

"The Minister's expectation is that any use of AI within health services should be safe, trustworthy, transparent and respectful of patients, while continuing to comply with all relevant legal, clinical, data protection and regulatory requirements. AI should support better care and better outcomes for patients, while always respecting their rights, dignity and expectations."

Sinn Fein's health spokesperson David Cullinane told JOE patient dignity must come first.

“AI has the potential to make healthcare more efficient but its use must respect patients privacy, dignity and existing data protection rules," he said.

“Patients should be clearly told when AI tools are being used, what information is being processed and for what purpose.

“The use of new technology in healthcare has to strike the right balance between innovation and efficiency on the one hand and transparency, accountability and responsible use on the other.

“This is especially important when patients are dealing with sensitive health information and may already be in a vulnerable position.”