Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Exploring Primary Care Patients' Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence : Systematic Literature Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Mundzic, Alisa ; Bogdanffy, Robin ; Sundemo, David ; Sundvall, Pär-Daniel ; Widén, Jonathan ; Nymberg, Peter LU orcid ; Wikberg, Carl ; Moberg, Anna ; Gunnarsson, Ronny and Entezarjou, Artin LU orcid (2025) In JMIR AI 4. p.1-16
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care holds great promise, offering the potential to alleviate physicians' workloads and allocate more time for patient interactions. After the emergence of large language models (LLMs), interest in AI has surged in the health care sector, including within primary care. However, patients have expressed concerns about the ethical implications and use of AI in primary care. Understanding patients' perspectives on using AI in primary care is crucial for its effective integration. Despite this, few studies have addressed patients' perspectives on using AI in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research on primary care patients'... (More)

BACKGROUND: The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care holds great promise, offering the potential to alleviate physicians' workloads and allocate more time for patient interactions. After the emergence of large language models (LLMs), interest in AI has surged in the health care sector, including within primary care. However, patients have expressed concerns about the ethical implications and use of AI in primary care. Understanding patients' perspectives on using AI in primary care is crucial for its effective integration. Despite this, few studies have addressed patients' perspectives on using AI in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research on primary care patients' perspectives regarding the use of AI, including LLMs, in primary care.

METHODS: A qualitative systematic review, using thematic analysis, was performed in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, were searched from inception to February 5, 2024. Eligible studies (1) used a qualitative interview research design, (2) explored primary care patients' perspectives on the use of AI in primary care, (3) were written in English, and (4) were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Quantitative studies, gray literature, surveys, and studies lacking depth in qualitative analysis were excluded. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist was used for quality assessment.

RESULTS: Of 1004 studies screened, 6 were included, comprising 170 patients aged 13-91 years from 3 countries. Three themes emerged: "The Relationship with and Actions of AI Systems," "Implementing AI responsibly," and "Training Physicians and Artificial Minds." Patients acknowledged AI's potential benefits but advocated for clinician oversight, safety frameworks, and the preservation of patient autonomy.

CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides an understanding of patients' perspectives on AI in primary care. We identified heterogeneity in AI definitions across studies. Further research is needed on patients' perspectives across different countries. Notably, our synthesis revealed a significant research gap, as none of the included studies particularly explored patients' perspectives on LLMs, highlighting an important area for future research.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
JMIR AI
volume
4
article number
e72211
pages
1 - 16
publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
external identifiers
  • pmid:41259713
ISSN
2817-1705
DOI
10.2196/72211
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© Alisa Mundzic, Robin Bogdanffy, David Sundemo, Pär-Daniel Sundvall, Jonathan Widén, Peter Nymberg, Carl Wikberg, Anna Moberg, Ronny Gunnarsson, Artin Entezarjou. Originally published in JMIR AI (https://ai.jmir.org).
id
419eb9ae-ca77-4732-88fd-2854a757a4eb
date added to LUP
2025-12-09 09:40:36
date last changed
2025-12-10 02:57:45
@article{419eb9ae-ca77-4732-88fd-2854a757a4eb,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care holds great promise, offering the potential to alleviate physicians' workloads and allocate more time for patient interactions. After the emergence of large language models (LLMs), interest in AI has surged in the health care sector, including within primary care. However, patients have expressed concerns about the ethical implications and use of AI in primary care. Understanding patients' perspectives on using AI in primary care is crucial for its effective integration. Despite this, few studies have addressed patients' perspectives on using AI in primary care.</p><p>OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research on primary care patients' perspectives regarding the use of AI, including LLMs, in primary care.</p><p>METHODS: A qualitative systematic review, using thematic analysis, was performed in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, were searched from inception to February 5, 2024. Eligible studies (1) used a qualitative interview research design, (2) explored primary care patients' perspectives on the use of AI in primary care, (3) were written in English, and (4) were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Quantitative studies, gray literature, surveys, and studies lacking depth in qualitative analysis were excluded. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist was used for quality assessment.</p><p>RESULTS: Of 1004 studies screened, 6 were included, comprising 170 patients aged 13-91 years from 3 countries. Three themes emerged: "The Relationship with and Actions of AI Systems," "Implementing AI responsibly," and "Training Physicians and Artificial Minds." Patients acknowledged AI's potential benefits but advocated for clinician oversight, safety frameworks, and the preservation of patient autonomy.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides an understanding of patients' perspectives on AI in primary care. We identified heterogeneity in AI definitions across studies. Further research is needed on patients' perspectives across different countries. Notably, our synthesis revealed a significant research gap, as none of the included studies particularly explored patients' perspectives on LLMs, highlighting an important area for future research.</p>}},
  author       = {{Mundzic, Alisa and Bogdanffy, Robin and Sundemo, David and Sundvall, Pär-Daniel and Widén, Jonathan and Nymberg, Peter and Wikberg, Carl and Moberg, Anna and Gunnarsson, Ronny and Entezarjou, Artin}},
  issn         = {{2817-1705}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  pages        = {{1--16}},
  publisher    = {{JMIR Publications Inc.}},
  series       = {{JMIR AI}},
  title        = {{Exploring Primary Care Patients' Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence : Systematic Literature Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/72211}},
  doi          = {{10.2196/72211}},
  volume       = {{4}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}