Survey: Mixed Sentiments for AI in Dermatology

A national survey of U.S. dermatologists reveals both enthusiasm and concern about the potential integration of artificial intelligence chatbots (AIC) into dermatological practice.

The study, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, evaluated results from an online cross-sectional survey of dermatologists across the country. The survey was designed to assess the sentiments of dermatologists as to the benefits, risks, and possible applications of AIC in dermatological practice. There were 192 complete responses; more than half of the respondents (53.6%) were female and 44.3% aged between 30 to 39. Also worth noting is the relative youth of a large portion of the survey respondents, with 41.1% of the participants having 0 to 10 years of experience as attending physicians.

According to the authors of the study, 76.5% of survey respondents believe it is somewhat or very likely that AIC will become formally incorporated into dermatology. A higher self-reported understanding of AIC correlated with an increased perception of its likely implementation. Dermatologists appeared to express significant optimism regarding the role of AIC in administrative tasks, with 75.7% citing the potential for reduced work burden on physicians. There were concerns, particularly about misinformation and incorrect diagnoses, which were flagged by 89% and 78.5% of respondents, respectively. A significant majority of respondents (86%) anticipated that AIC would impact patient education. 

"Dermatologists in the United States foresee the integration of AIC into their practice, emphasizing its potential in administrative roles," the authors concluded. "Concerns revolve around the complexity of medical understanding and effective patient communication. As AIC continues to evolve, ongoing studies are crucial to evaluate their safety and efficacy in dermatological practice." Source: Cortes J, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2024;23(11). Doi:10.36849/JDD.8239