A recent study highlights patient hesitation regarding artificial intelligence (AI) use in healthcare consultations, prompting researchers to advocate for transparent communication from general practitioners (GPs). According to a 2024 newsGP poll, only 22% of 1,170 respondents utilize AI scribes in their practices, while 65% refrain from using conversational AI tools like ChatGPT. The study involved 1,276 adults who evaluated physicians presented in advertisements that either included or excluded AI usage. Findings revealed that perceived competence, trustworthiness, and empathy significantly declined when AI was mentioned, negatively impacting patients’ willingness to make appointments. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recognizes the dual potential of AI to alleviate bureaucratic burdens while raising concerns over data privacy and workflow disruptions. Future research should investigate moderating factors influencing skepticism towards AI, stressing the need for GPs to clearly articulate the benefits of AI to build patient trust.
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