Distrust of AI: Doctors are losing trust among patients!

Distrust of AI: Doctors are losing trust among patients!

A current study by psychologists at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg shows that the public perception of doctors who use artificial intelligence (AI) is consistently negative. The results were published in the journal JAMA Network Open and shed worrying light on patients' trust in their doctors.

In the study, over 1,200 participants rated advertisements for medical practices that either contained or did not contain references to the use of AI. The results show that doctors who use AI in their practice are perceived as less competent, trustworthy and empathetic. This negative perception applies regardless of whether AI is used in administrative, diagnostic or therapeutic tasks. The study's authors, including Moritz Reis and Professor Wilfried Kunde from JMU and Florian Reis from Charité Berlin, note that skepticism may even make patients less willing to make an appointment with doctors who use these technologies.

Trust and therapeutic success

A key finding of the study is patients' concerns that doctors could blindly trust AI. These concerns reduce trust in the patient-doctor relationship, which is considered crucial to the success of treatment. Even small limitations in the perception of trustworthiness can have significant negative effects on treatment outcomes. The authors therefore recommend that doctors proactively inform about the use of AI and address any concerns their patients may have. This could not only increase trust but also increase efficiency in medical practice.

The study sheds light on the complex discussion about the use of AI in medicine, which presents both opportunities and challenges. The use of AI in administrative tasks could give doctors more time for personal care of their patients, which could lead to improved healthcare.

Public perception

Additionally, the research shows that there is a widespread perception that technology can replace human expertise. This fear could further undermine trust in doctors using modern technologies. Contemporary healthcare is therefore faced with the challenge of demonstrating the benefits of AI while maintaining patient trust. Future developments in technology and public perception will be crucial to promote the acceptance of artificial intelligence in medicine.

The full publication is entitled “Public Perception of Physicians Who Use Artificial Intelligence” and is available at DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.21643. Further details about this study are available via the University of Würzburg and IT Boltwise visible.