Artificial intelligence as a tool to support patients in decision-making

ABSTRACT

Background: Shared decision-making is a collaborative process between patient and healthcare professional, where both parties actively participate in decision-making. Despite the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare services, studies focusing on patients’ own views and experiences regarding the role of AI in decision-making remain limited.

Αim: To investigate patients’ attitudes and experiences regarding the use of AI in decision-making, its impact on the therapeutic relationship and the main benefits and challenges that arise.

Material and method: The literature search was conducted from 2019 to 2025, in English, in the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE databases. Primary research studies and reviews with index words: artificial intelligence, decision-making, patient participation, and combinations of these or their synonyms were included.

Results: Patients appear divided about the adoption of AI in healthcare. Some appreciate its benefits, such as improved diagnosis and treatment, faster data analysis, and enhanced physician capacity, while others express concerns about the lack of human contact, transparency of algorithms, and the risk of bias.

Conclusions: AI should not replace the healthcare professional, but rather complement them, providing better tools for diagnosis and treatment options. This combined approach can lead to safer, more effective, and more personalized care.

Keywords: Patients, decision-making, artificial intelligence, nursing