From AI-Assisted Diagnoses to Patient Privacy Concerns: How Italians View Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Italians are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative technology in the healthcare sector. According to a survey conducted by EngageMinds Hub, a research center at the Catholic University, Cremona campus, over 60% of Italians are in favor of using AI in healthcare. Among those who support its use, 88% would employ AI to simplify medical reports, 86% as an aid for diagnosing, and 80% to establish drug therapy. Additionally, nearly 6 out of 10 Italians would use AI for self-analysis.

However, despite the potential benefits of AI in healthcare, many Italians fear that it could lead to a loss of the doctor-patient relationship. This concern is shared by 7 out of 10 Italians who believe that AI could erode trust between patients and doctors. These findings highlight the need for transparency and open communication between patients and healthcare providers when it comes to the use of technology in medicine.

The survey also revealed interesting differences in attitudes towards AI based on geographic location, political affiliation, and other factors. For instance, those from the South and islands were more likely to support AI than those from other regions (68% versus 57%). Similarly, politically center-oriented individuals were more likely to embrace AI than those with left or right-wing leanings (67% versus 49%). Those who placed faith in the National Health System and institutions also tended to be more supportive of AI (74% and 77%, respectively).

Guendalina Graffigna, director of EngageMinds Hub, believes that AI is no longer a foreign concept but a significant catalyst for progress in modern medicine. She notes that Italians expect digital technologies like AI to improve electronic medical records, online bookings, and disease management through dedicated devices. They anticipate enhanced accessibility to health services, reduced paper waste, increased patient involvement, and cost savings in the long term.

Despite these potential benefits of AI in healthcare, Graffigna acknowledges that there are concerns about its potential risks. These include a loss of trust between patients and doctors due to concerns about privacy or data security (55%) or difficulties using digital tools due to lack of confidence or competence (32%) or errors made by machines (23%). Graffigna emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns transparently to enhance patient engagement in the treatment process.

In conclusion, while Italian attitudes towards AI vary depending on several factors such as geography or politics; overall they seem optimistic about its potential role in improving healthcare delivery systems across various domains including diagnosis & treatment planning as well as monitoring & management of diseases through digital devices while expressing certain concerns regarding privacy & data security along with difficulties using digital tools due to lack of confidence/competence & errors made by machines which need proper address transparently by providers & stakeholders for effective patient engagement.