Are AI chatbots a wave of the future in dermatology? An article in the November Journal of Drugs in Dermatology assessed dermatologists’ attitudes and beliefs toward artificial intelligence chatbots. Chatbot usage has grown in a variety of areas of society in recent years, and ChatGPT’s popularity shows there’s demand. So to what extent do dermatologists think AI chatbots will play a role in the future of dermatology including patient care?
I interviewed author Julian Cortes, third year medical student at UCSD School of Medicine, who conducted the project in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology at UCSD Health.
What motivated you to study dermatologists’ attitudes and beliefs toward AI chatbots?
AI technologies, especially chatbots like ChatGPT, have gained significant attention and seen substantial progress over the last two years, offering potential for both physicians and patients. However, there has been limited research on how dermatologists view the integration of such tools into their practice. We wanted to understand dermatologists’ current perceptions of AI chatbots, explore how they envision these tools being used, and identify concerns regarding their accuracy, safety and impact on patient care.
You conducted an online cross-sectional survey with about 200 responses. What were your hypotheses? Did the responses validate your hypotheses?
We hypothesized that dermatologists would express concerns about the accuracy and safety of AI chatbot use in clinical decision-making. We anticipated that dermatologists would believe that AI chatbots will eventually be used for administrative or educational purposes. Responses validated these hypotheses: While most respondents saw potential benefits and even a strong likelihood that these tools will be integrated into clinical practice, they expressed significant concerns about misinformation, incorrect diagnoses and other risks related to the use of AI chatbots in clinical settings.
What was surprising about your results?
One surprising result was the strong belief that AI chatbots will be incorporated into dermatology practice, despite the general lack of understanding among dermatologists. This suggests that, even though many dermatologists are not yet familiar with the technology, they recognize its likely role in the future of medicine.
The majority of respondents reported believing AI chatbots will be incorporated into clinical practice yet the majority also noted several potential issues, including misinformation, incorrect diagnoses and dehumanization of healthcare. How can dermatology clinicians reconcile this situation?
Dermatologists can reconcile this situation by viewing AI chatbots as tools to support rather than replace their clinical judgment. AI chatbots can help reduce administrative burdens, enhance patient education and provide general information, but they should not be relied upon for making medical decisions.
As AI chatbots continue to become more prevalent in society, how can the specialty of dermatology prepare for potential future usage?
It is crucial for dermatology-specific professional organizations to help ensure that dermatologists are aware of new AI technology, its applications, limitations and risks. Also, dermatologists can provide guidance by developing use-standards and guardrails for using AI tools in clinical practice. Dermatologists can also direct the development of AI tools by selecting high quality and trustworthy data sources. In summary, dermatologist-designed AI tools can address clinical needs that only dermatologists understand.
You noticed an association between the knowledge of AI chatbots in dermatology and approval of the technology’s use in the specialty. What can we extrapolate from this association?
From this association, we may conclude that education and exposure are crucial factors in shaping clinicians’ perceptions of AI. Dermatologists who understand how AI chatbots work and are familiar with their strengths and limitations are more likely to see their value in clinical practice while understanding appropriate applications of the technology.
Where is the need for future studies?
Future studies can evaluate the real-world performance and safety of AI chatbots in the practice of dermatology, evaluating their impact on quality of patient care, patient satisfaction and health literacy. Dermatologists can also compare the performance of dermatologist-designed tools compared to standard AI chatbot platforms. Future studies should also assess shifts in clinician attitudes over a longitudinal period to capture the ever-evolving nature of AI technology.
What else should dermatology clinicians know about the use of AI chatbots in dermatology?
Dermatologists should stay informed about developments in AI technology and its regulatory landscape as their applications will evolve rapidly. As the use of AI chatbots in healthcare continues to progress, it will be crucial for dermatologists to remain fierce advocates for their patients, prioritizing safe and excellent clinical care.
Did you enjoy this JDD Buzz article? You can find more here.
