Autonomy and Informed Consent: Ensuring patients and their families are well-informed about AI-assisted decisions

Autonomy and Informed Consent: Ensuring patients and their families are well-informed about AI-assisted decisions
Elisha Blessing, Kaledio Potter, Hubert Klaus
Research Gate, 1 February 2024
Abstract
    The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare presents significant opportunities for improving patient outcomes, personalizing treatments, and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. However, this technological advancement also raises crucial ethical considerations, particularly concerning patient autonomy and informed consent. As AI-assisted decision-making becomes more prevalent in healthcare settings, ensuring that patients and their families are well-informed about the nature, benefits, and risks of AI interventions is paramount. This paper explores the challenges and strategies associated with maintaining autonomy and securing informed consent in the era of AI-assisted healthcare. We delve into the significance of patient autonomy as a fundamental principle of medical ethics and the complexities introduced by AI technologies that may challenge this autonomy.    The paper highlights the crucial role of healthcare providers in supporting informed decision-making by patients, emphasizing the need for clear communication about AI’s capabilities and limitations. Further, we address the traditional principles of informed consent and how they are complicated by the integration of AI in healthcare. These complexities include the difficulty of explaining AI’s decision-making processes and ensuring patients understand the implications of AI-assisted treatments. We propose strategies for enhancing patient and family understanding of AI-assisted decisions, including educational programs, training for healthcare professionals, and the development of patient-centered AI explanations.

The paper also reviews case studies and examples of successful implementations of AI in healthcare, providing insights into best practices and the impact on patient satisfaction and trust. Additionally, we examine the ethical and legal frameworks governing AI in healthcare, identifying the need for updated policies to address AI-specific issues and international perspectives on autonomy and informed consent. Challenges such as biases in AI algorithms, privacy and security of patient data, and overcoming skepticism and fear of technology are discussed, alongside future directions anticipated in AI development that may impact patient care and consent processes.

The paper concludes with a call to action for ongoing dialogue, research, and policy development to ensure that the ethical principles of autonomy and informed consent are upheld in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in healthcare. This exploration underscores the importance of ensuring that patients and their families are adequately informed, empowering them to make decisions that align with their values and preferences in the context of AI-assisted healthcare.