ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Danielle M. Nash, PhD; Cathy Thorpe, MA; Judith Belle Brown, PhD; Jacqueline K. Kueper, PhD(C); Jennifer Rayner, PhD; Daniel J. Lizotte, PhD; Amanda L. Terry, PhD; Merrick Zwarenstein, MBBCh, PhD
Corresponding Author: Danielle M. Nash, PhD; Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry - Western University.
Email: Danielle.nash@ices.on.ca
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.220177R2
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Canada, Family Medicine, Informatics, Qualitative Research
Dates: Submitted: 05-12-2022; Revised: 09-18-2022; 10-14-2022; Accepted: 10-20-2022
Status: In production for ahead of print.
PURPOSE: To understand staff and healthcare providers’ views on potential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven tools to help care for patients within a primary care setting.
METHODS: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using individual semi-structured interviews between December 2019 and March 2020. As part of province-wide Learning Health Organization, Community Health Centres (CHCs) are a community-governed, team-based delivery model providing primary care for people that experience marginalization in Ontario, Canada. CHC healthcare providers and staff were invited to participate. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We performed a thematic analysis using a team approach.
RESULTS: We interviewed 27 participants across six CHCs. Participants lacked in-depth knowledge about AI. The healthcare context needs to be considered when developing and implementing AI technology. Trust was essential to acceptance of AI, and to ensure trust, people need to be receptive to using AI and feel confident that the information is accurate. We identified internal influences of acceptance, including ease of use, and complementing clinical judgement rather than replacing it. External influences included privacy, liability, and financial considerations. Participants felt AI could improve patient care and help prevent burnout for providers; however, there were concerns about the impact on the patient-provider relationship.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a comprehensive description of healthcare staff and providers’ views on the use of AI-driven tools in a primary care setting. This information can be used for future research, development, and integration of AI technology within this Learning Health Organization and other similar primary care organizations.